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Better Buildings For Humans

by BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.

Welcome to the BBFH podcast. More often than not, when we think about health and wellness, our thoughts turn to diet and exercise. However, most of us spend two-thirds or more of our day inside buildings. The quality of the environment in those buildings has been proven to have a dramatic impact on our well being and our productivity, both at work and at home. There is little discussion about this in the mainstream media. It’s time to start a public dialogue about how we are affected by the buildings where we live, work and play. Thanks for listening! https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/

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Episodes

  1. Your Building Might Look Beautiful — But Does It Actually Make You Feel Good? — Episode 159 with Eliza Engle

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect Eliza Engle of MTFA Architecture for a fascinating conversation about how the spaces we inhabit influence our comfort, emotions, and overall well-being. With a background in sociology, mental health, and...

  2. We Keep Tearing Out Perfectly Good Buildings — And Calling It Progress — Episode 158 with Lona Rerick and Jesce Walz

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Lona Rerick and Jesce Walz of Perkins&Will to explore regenerative design, circularity, and rethinking buildings and materials as valuable resources rather than disposable products. The conversation examines the shift…

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  3. Good Design Should Be Felt — Not Explained — Episode 157 with Cristina Ballester and Mitchell Ramseur

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architects Cristina Ballester and Mitchell Ramseur for a lively conversation about the subtle ways architecture shapes how we feel, move, interact, and experience everyday life. Coming to architecture from very...

  4. We Have the Technology to Build Smarter — So What’s Holding Us Back? — Episode 156 with Dr. George Guszcza

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Dr. George Guszcza, President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), for a thought-provoking conversation about innovation, resilience, technology, and the systems shaping the future of our...

  5. We Need Healthcare Space Faster — But Are We Building It the Wrong Way? – Episode 155 with Eric Waller

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Eric Waller of VitalSpace to explore how modular construction is changing the way healthcare environments are designed and delivered. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience in healthcare operations, facilities…

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  6. We’re Building for Sustainability — But Is That Enough Anymore? – Episode 154 with Gunnar Hubbard

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect and sustainability expert Gunnar Hubbard, co-founder of Solenworks, for a fascinating exploration of what it means to move beyond sustainable buildings toward buildings that actively make the world better....

  7. Your Home Meets Code — But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Healthy – Episode 153 with Brian Johnson

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with builder, building biologist, and Synergy 360 founder Brian Johnson for a fascinating exploration of what it really means to create a home that supports human health. Drawing on a unique journey through construction,...

  8. We’ve Engineered Nature Out of Our Buildings — And Our Bodies Are Paying the Price – Episode 152 with Lynne Peeples

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with science journalist and author Lynne Peeples for a fascinating exploration of our internal clocks—and the profound role that light and the built environment play in human health. Drawing from her book The Inner Clock…

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  9. We’re Designing Buildings for Energy — But Forgetting the Humans – Episode 151 with Paul Rogers

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with daylighting expert and architect Paul Rogers of ACC for a deep dive into the science, design, and human experience of natural light. Drawing on more than 15 years of specialized work and over a thousand daylight…

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  10. The Perfect Classroom Doesn't Exist — And That's the Point – Episode 150 with Will Gridley

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Will Gridley of Robert A.M. Stern Architects for a fascinating conversation about higher education design and the powerful ways classrooms shape how students learn. Drawing on his experience designing academic...

  11. The Greatest Barrier to Better Buildings Isn't Technology — It's Fear – Episode 149 with Eric Corey Freed

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back architect, sustainability leader, author, and Cannon Design principal Eric Corey Freed for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges many of the assumptions driving sustainable design today. Drawing on decades of...

  12. Most Buildings Are Designed to Shelter You — The Best Ones Are Designed to Change How You Feel – Episode 148 with Hamid Mohammadi

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect, industrial designer, and artist Hamid Mohammadi, founder of Good Place Design, for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of architecture, creativity, and human experience. Drawing on his unique...

  13. Your Building Isn't Making You Sick by Accident — Why Comfort, Air Quality & Building Science Are Designed, Not Discovered – Episode 147 with Sarah Gudeman

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Sarah Gudeman, mechanical engineer at BranchPattern, for a thought-provoking conversation about building science, indoor environmental quality, and why truly great buildings are designed around human outcomes—not just...

  14. Your Building Isn't Too Airtight — It's Breathing the Wrong Way: The Hidden Science of Healthy Buildings, Ventilation & Passive House – Episode 146 with Denise Martin

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Denise Martin, founder of BEO Science, for an engaging conversation about building science, Passive House design, and why healthier buildings begin with understanding the invisible forces that shape them. Drawing on her...

  15. The Biggest Threat to Student Success Isn't in the Classroom — It's the School Building We Keep Ignoring – Episode 145 with Alana Pinckley

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Alana Pinckley, Chief Engagement Officer of the American Coalition for Educational Environments (ACE) and host of the Empowered K-12 Podcast, for an insightful conversation about the critical connection between school...

  16. Architecture Is More Political Than Politics — The Hidden Power Buildings Have to Shape Society, Identity & Human Behavior – Episode 144 with Isun Kazerani

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect, researcher, educator, and design leader Isun Kazerani for a fascinating conversation that explores architecture far beyond buildings themselves. Drawing on her international experience across Australia and the...

  17. Most Building Projects Are Set Up to Fail Before Design Even Begins — The Costly Disconnect Between Real Estate, Architecture & Construction – Episode 144 with Jonathan Wolk

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes architect, builder, real estate broker, and entrepreneur Jonathan Wolk, founder and CEO of WOLK360, for a thought-provoking conversation about reimagining the way buildings are designed, purchased, and constructed. Drawing on...

  18. Canada Spent 20 Years Building More Housing — So Why Do Our Cities Feel Less Inspiring Than Ever? – Episode 142 with Alexander Josephson

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes architect, entrepreneur, and provocateur Alexander Josephson for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of architecture, city-building, sustainability, and the role of design in shaping culture. Drawing on his journey…

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  19. Most Restaurants Are Designed Backwards — The Hidden Operational Mistakes Hurting Staff, Customers & Profits – Episode 141 with Ryan Mikita

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Ryan Mikita of Ricca Design Studios for a fascinating conversation about the hidden world of foodservice design and the critical role it plays in shaping the restaurants, hotels, schools, arenas, and hospitality spaces…

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  20. Retail Is Broken, Employees Are Miserable & Your Store Design Might Be Driving Customers Away — How Better Buildings Can Fix the Experience Crisis – Episode 140 with Brian Bucher

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Brian Bucher of WD Partners for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of architecture, branding, operations, and human experience in retail design. Drawing from decades of experience creating immersive spaces...

  21. Designing Hospitals That Actually Heal: What Architects Get Wrong About Healthcare - Episode 139 with Emily McGee

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Emily McGee of Meadows & Ohly for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of healthcare design, public health, and the future of healing environments. With a unique background spanning architecture, global health…

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  22. Dark Hallways, Toxic Materials & Dead Offices — Why Most Buildings Still Ignore Human Health (and How Designers Can Fix It) – Episode 138 with Molly Polehna

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with interior designer Molly Polehna of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting for a wide-ranging conversation about the powerful role interior design plays in human health, sustainability, and authentic building...

  23. Big Box, Bigger Problems – Why Retail Design Is Failing Humans (and the Radical Rethink Canadian Tire Is Betting On) – Episode 137 with Sarah Heppinstall

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Sarah Heppinstall, Vice President of Design, Construction, and Maintenance at Canadian Tire, to explore what it really takes to deliver human-centered retail at scale. From her journey across the UK and Canada to leading...

  24. Building Without Walls – Why Architecture’s Obsession with Control Is Killing Creativity (and How Nature Holds the Answer) - Episode 136 with Anne Romme

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect and researcher Anne Rinne to explore the powerful intersection of art, engineering, and human-centered design. From her unconventional path into architecture to her work at the Royal Danish Academy, Anne shares...

  25. Designing in the Dark – Why Modern Buildings Are Failing Our Biology (and What Norway Gets Right) - Episode 135 with Knut Knut Hjeltnes

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Norwegian architect Knut Hjeltnes to explore how climate, culture, and material choices shape truly human-centered design. From Norway’s deep relationship with daylight to its tradition of building with wood, Knut shares...

  26. Building Hope from Garbage – Why the Future of Sustainable Design Might Look Nothing Like You Expect - Episode 134 with Matthew Panaitz

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Matt Panaitz, founder of Long Way Home, to explore a remarkable journey where sustainable design meets social impact. What began as a Peace Corps experience evolved into a bold mission: building schools and…

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  27. Cooling the Concrete Jungle – Rethinking Urban Heat and Human Comfort Through Radiant Design - Episode 133 with Dorit Aviv & Eric Teitelbaum

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back Dorit Aviv, joined by Eric Teitelbaum, for a powerful conversation on one of the most urgent—and often overlooked—climate challenges: extreme urban heat. Drawing from their work at the University of Pennsylvania and AIL...

  28. Cooling the Concrete Jungle – Rethinking Urban Heat and Human Comfort Through Radiant Design - Episode 133 with Dorit Aviv & Eric Teitelbaum

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back Dorit Aviv, joined by Eric Teitelbaum, for a powerful conversation on one of the most urgent—and often overlooked—climate challenges: extreme urban heat. Drawing from their work at the University of Pennsylvania and AIL...

  29. Salutogenic Design and the Future of Prisons – Episode 132 with Helena Pombares

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Helena Pombares, a prison design architect whose work challenges how we think about justice, dignity, and the built environment. From her unexpected start rebuilding infrastructure in post-war Angola to pursuing...

  30. The Empty City Lie: Why We Keep Building Out While Our Best Land Sits Wasted – Episode 131 with Chelsey Jersak

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Chelsey Jersak, founder of Situate, to unpack one of the most overlooked opportunities in city building: infill development—and why it’s so hard to get right. From her unexpected path into urban planning to launching a...

  31. The Sustainability Illusion: Why “Green Design” Is Failing People—and What Actually Works – Ep 130 with Jenny Heim

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Jenny Heim, Sustainable Design Leader at McMillan Pazdan Smith, to explore how truly high-performance buildings emerge at the intersection of environmental responsibility and human well-being. From her early inspiration...

  32. The Story Lie: Why “Technical Excellence” Is Killing Trust—and What Actually Makes People Believe – Ep 129 with Robert Bean

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Robert Bean, founder of Impact Creative Studio, to explore how storytelling can transform the way we design—and experience—the built environment. From his early career as a commercial pilot to helping architects...

  33. Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Your “Safe” Isn’t Safe – And the Rise of the Secret Room – Ep 128 with Steve Humble

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski steps into the world of hidden passageways, vault doors, and high-security safe rooms with Steve Humble, founder of Creative Home Engineering. What begins as a childhood fascination with spy movies evolves into a fascinating deep dive...

  34. Why Windows Fail and Daylight Wins: Rethinking Light in Buildings – Ep 127 with Jon Phillips

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Jon Phillips, CEO of PhillComm Global for a fascinating real-world look at what happens when daylighting science moves from theory into daily life. After years of working in a dark, screen-filled workspace, John redesigned his...

  35. Cutting Holes in the Roof (On Purpose): Why Daylight from Above Changes Everything – Ep 126 with Richard Williams

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Richard Williams, Senior Architect Development Manager at VELUX, for an energizing and deeply thoughtful conversation about daylight, design, and the future of healthy housing. Drawing on more than 30 years with the...

  36. Are We Designing Blind? Why Architecture Must Measure Its Impact – Ep 125 with Dr. Helia Taheri

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Dr. Helia Taheri, Research and Insights Lead at Arcadis, for an inspiring deep dive into human-centric design, evidence-based practice, and the future of our cities. Born and raised in Iran and now working in the U.S.,...

  37. The Beauty of the "Wrong" Way: Curiosity, Constraints & Designing From the Heart – Ep 124 with Lila Allen

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back writer, editor, and design thinker Lila Allen for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation on design, storytelling, and what it means to live well. Since her last appearance, Lila has launched Wrong House—a…

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  38. Designing With All The Senses: Rethinking Science, Sustainability & Soul – Ep 123 with Scott Gustafson

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with award-winning architect Scott Gustafson of Harley Ellis Devereaux for a fascinating look at the intersection of science, sustainability, and beautiful design. As a leader in the Science and Advanced Manufacturing sector,...

  39. Insisting on Beauty in a Code-Obsessed World – Ep 122 with Internationally Acclaimed Architect, Alison Brooks

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes a true visionary—renowned architect Alison Brooks—for another unforgettable conversation. From her early inspirations in Ontario to leading one of the UK’s most acclaimed practices, Alison continues to redefine contemporary...

  40. Modern Design is Ruining the Tropics: Reclaiming the Soul of Caribbean Architecture – Ep 121 with Peter Sandiford

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski heads to the tropics for a vibrant conversation with architect Peter Sandiford of Habitat Designs in Barbados. From a young age, Peter knew he was destined to design spaces—and today, he's doing just that, blending tropical vernacular...

  41. Rethinking Homebuilding: Why Competitive Bidding is Killing Your Dream Home – Ep 120 with Monika Zasada

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes construction curator Monika Zasada for a fresh and empowering take on how we build homes—and how we should. With decades of experience as a general contractor turned “curator,” Monika breaks down why the traditional…

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  42. How Does One of the Largest School Systems in the World Design for Success? - Ep 119 with Thierry Paret

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes building science legend Dr. Joseph Lstiburek for an unfiltered and unforgettable conversation. From mold to CO₂ myths, Joseph challenges conventional thinking about ventilation, insulation, humidity control, and what really...

  43. Is Your Building Too “Healthy”: How Ventilation May Be Making Us Sick – Ep 118 with Joseph Lstiburek

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes building science legend Dr. Joseph Lstiburek for an unfiltered and unforgettable conversation. From mold to CO₂ myths, Joseph challenges conventional thinking about ventilation, insulation, humidity control, and what really...

  44. Your Water Is Lying to You: The Hidden Crisis in ‘Safe’ Drinking Water – Ep 117 with Cydian Kauffman

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Cydian Kauffman, founder of Pure Water Northwest, for an essential conversation on one of the most overlooked aspects of healthy buildings: water quality. From shocking realities about what “legal” versus “healthy” water...

  45. Architecture Is Failing Us: Can Design Become Public Health? – Ep 116 with Yiselle Santos Rivera

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Yiselle Santos Rivera—architect, educator, and the incoming president of the AIA—to explore how buildings can become tools for healing, justice, and joy. Yiselle shares her journey from genetics labs in Puerto Rico to…

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  46. Twilight Indoors: Are Our Buildings Making Us Sick? – Ep 115 with Jan Denneman

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski explores the fascinating science of light and health with Jan Denneman, founder of the Good Light Group and a 45-year veteran of the lighting industry. Jan unpacks the critical—yet often overlooked—role of light in regulating our...

  47. Glass vs. Plastic: Are We Settling for Disposable Daylighting? – Ep 114 with David Leinbach & Terry MacGillivary

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski dives into a real-world case study with David Leinbach of Kaiser Martin Group and Terry MacGillivary from Advanced Glazings. The spotlight? A high-profile U.S. government project where cutting-edge daylighting met energy efficiency...

  48. Sunlight Is Medicine: Have We Engineered the Healing Power of Nature Out of Our Cities? – Ep 113 with Georg Molzer

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski connects with Georg Molzer, Austrian tech visionary and creator of Shadowmap—a groundbreaking platform that’s redefining our relationship with sunlight. From early engineering dreams to burnout recovery and a brilliant balcony…

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  49. Rewriting the Rules: Are 21st-Century Schools Finally Putting Students First—or Just Rebranding the Same Old Boxes? – Ep 112 with Cory Boudreau

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski explores the evolving world of K-12 design with Cory Boudreau, architect at SLAM Collaborative. From a Lego-loving kid to a leader in educational design, Cory shares how his winding career path—from healthcare megaprojects to transformative...

  50. Classrooms on the Frontlines: Are NYC Schools Our Best Hope—or Biggest Gamble—in Climate Resilience? – Ep 111 with Caleb Crawford

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski heads to the heart of New York City’s public school system with Caleb Crawford, Director of Sustainable Design and Resiliency at the NYC School Construction Authority. With decades of experience as an architect, educator, and environmental...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Welcome to the BBFH podcast. More often than not, when we think about health and wellness, our thoughts turn to diet and exercise. However, most of us spend two-thirds or more of our day inside buildings. The quality of the environment in those buildings has been proven to have a dramatic impact on our well being and our productivity, both at work and at home. There is little discussion about this in the mainstream media. It’s time to start a public dialogue about how we are affected by the buildings where we live, work and play. Thanks for listening! https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/

HOSTED BY

BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.

CATEGORIES

education

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Better Buildings For Humans have?

Better Buildings For Humans currently has 159 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Better Buildings For Humans about?

Welcome to the BBFH podcast. More often than not, when we think about health and wellness, our thoughts turn to diet and exercise. However, most of us spend two-thirds or more of our day inside buildings. The quality of the environment in those buildings has been proven to have a dramatic impact on...

How often does Better Buildings For Humans release new episodes?

Better Buildings For Humans publishes regularly with 159 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Better Buildings For Humans?

You can listen to Better Buildings For Humans on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Better Buildings For Humans?

Better Buildings For Humans is created and hosted by BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered by Advanced Glazings, Ltd..
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