By Alexander Landa, Outreach and Communications Manager


According to a Sept. 15 press release from the USGBC, for building owners, developers, managers, and investors, designing and constructing healthier buildings is proving to be a clear business benefit. The results of a SmartMarket Report and Dodge Data & Analytics released the initial report.

The “Drive Toward Healthier Buildings 2016” report supports the notion that the design and construction industry in the U.S.. is more widely accepting building practices that are physically, mentally,and socially healthy for occupants. Two-thirds of building owners consider healthier buildings to be important, with most of them believing that these buildings will lead to higher employee satisfaction and engagement.

“Our world is confronting massive challenges that affect our physical, mental and social well-being,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer, USGBC. “We know that programs like USGBC’s LEED green building rating system and IWBI’s WELL Building Standard provide key solutions to business leaders who are looking for the best way to create healthier, more sustainable buildings. We will continue to educate and push the market to prioritize human health in the built environment, which has benefits that extend beyond the building itself to the cities, communities and neighborhoods where we live.”

The five primary healthy buildings features are better lighting/daylighting exposure, products that enhance thermal comfort, spaces that enhance social interaction, enhanced air quality and products that enhance acoustical comfort. It's likely that the use of these features in designs moving forward will increase, alongside other further innovation techniques.

Our Chapter of the USGBC supports this notion wholeheartedly, as evidenced by our upcoming Healthy Materials Summit. To be held October 26th, 2016 in Google's Cambridge office, this event will cover topics related to the use of materials in buildings. Learn about how industry leaders are leveraging health product declarations (HPDs) and environmental product declarations (EPDs) to create buildings that improve the quality of life for their occupants and build their corporate brand.

You can read the full press release here.

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