ASID Impact of design brief: Climate, building resiliency, and human health

This brief examines the current state of the environment from a chemical landscape perspective and proposes how its three leading topics— climate, building resiliency and human health— can be better considered in an evolving design practice. The brief explores how weather events impact the built environment and interior design, the effects of extreme weather on human health and building resilience, and insight into designing for the future. 

Interior designers have the opportunity to improve building resiliency and thus mitigate some of these climate-related outcomes for occupants:

• Step 1 | Use an integrative design process. Bring the owner, design team and additional experts and/or stakeholders together early in the design process to establish goals, set priorities and identify occupant risks.
• Step 2 | Proactively evaluate potential impacts. Prioritize the materials, finishes and furnishings that minimize risks to human health to reduce indoor pollution and achieve better building resiliency. 
• Step 3 | Convey strategies and assess outcomes. Communicate to ensure alignment, engage stakeholders and demonstrate results for greater transparency and trust.