Building HVAC Science EP155 Sustainable Spaces: The Journey from Efficiency to Humanity in Design With Vali Homes (November 2023)
In the podcast, Austin shares his experiences with sustainable building practices, particularly highlighting the initial venture into constructing a LEED platinum-level building to demonstrate that high sustainability standards can be achieved without excessive costs or complexity. He discusses the general approach where typical construction starts with existing methods and then adapts to earn additional certification points, which often leads to either more expensive or less effective outcomes. Instead, Austin advocates starting from scratch, focusing on creating healthy, durable, and efficient buildings that people enjoy living in, which promotes long-term sustainability beyond mere certification points.
Austin further elaborates on the success of their approach, noting how they managed to achieve almost all possible LEED points quickly by reevaluating materials and construction methods comprehensively. This process led to the realization that focusing on human-centric design and logic leads to better overall results, surpassing mere compliance with certification standards. He emphasizes the importance of creating buildings that people can connect with, which not only meet but exceed sustainability benchmarks.
Lastly, the conversation touches on the broader implications of their work, discussing how placing humans at the center of design and construction leads to more meaningful and sustainable outcomes. They critique the tendency in the construction industry to prioritize efficiency over human experience, drawing parallels to broader societal issues like the overemphasis on caloric efficiency in American food production. Austin and Lucas stress the importance of materials and building methods that respect both people and the planet, suggesting that a focus on human-first design inherently leads to better and more sustainable buildings.
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/five-factors-of-good-building
This episode was recorded in November 2023.