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, and healthcare real estate strategy, Emily shares how thoughtful design decisions can directly influence patient outcomes, staff well-being, and long-term community health.From infection control and daylighting to healthcare workforce burnout, food systems, and health equity, the discussion explores the enormous complexity behind designing modern medical facilities that truly serve people. Emily also dives into the promise of mass timber, modular construction, digital twin technology, and how healthcare campuses can evolve into healthier, more resilient community anchors.It’s an inspiring look at how great buildings don’t just treat illness — they actively support dignity, wellness, and human connection.More About Emily McGeeEmily McGee is Senior Director of Planning at Meadows & Ohly, where she helps health systems make evidence-based decisions around healthcare facility planning, growth, and real estate strategy.With 13+ years of international experience in healthcare architecture and planning, Emily combines architecture, public health, and data-driven strategy to improve healthcare access and equity. She is currently a Bloomberg American Health Initiative Fellow at Johns Hopkins University.Previously, she worked as a medical planner at HOK, contributing to major healthcare projects including the UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Mercy Pavilion and Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center.Emily has been recognized as a Healthcare Design Rising Star, an AIA Associate Award recipient, and a BD+C 40 Under 40 honoree. She is also an advocate for health equity, universal design, and climate-conscious healthcare design.CONTACT:https://www.instagram.com/_emily_azar_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyelizabethmcgee/ https://www.facebook.com/EmilyElizabethMcGee https://www.meadowsandohly.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/meadows-&-ohly-llc/ https://www.instagram.com/meadowsandohly/ https://americanhealth.jhu.edu/people/emily-mcgee https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomberg-american-health-initiative/https://www.instagram.com/bloombergamericanhealth/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/wihdc/https://www.instagram.com/womeninhealthcaredc/Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 experiences. From her unexpected path into design through themed entertainment and storytelling, Molly shares how thoughtful interiors can shape the way we feel, behave, and connect within spaces.The discussion explores everything from daylighting and acoustics to material selection, biophilic design, and the hidden science behind occupant well-being. Molly also dives into regenerative hospitality, mass timber, adaptive reuse, and how collaboration between designers, architects, and engineers leads to healthier, more resilient buildings.It’s an inspiring look at how truly great spaces don’t just look beautiful — they serve people honestly, intuitively, and authentically.More About Molly PolehnaMolly Polehna is a commercial interior designer at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting in Orlando, Florida, focused on regenerative design and the creation of immersive environments. With a diverse portfolio that spans education, hospitality, and workplace projects, Molly has contributed to the design of two mass timber buildings in Florida—exploring how sustainable materials can transform spaces and elevate the human experience. At the core of Molly's work is a belief that interiors have the power to shape how people feel, work, and connect. With a strong focus on sustainability and place-making, she designs environments that foster well-being, creativity, and community. Whether designing collaborative workspaces or restorative educational environments, Molly approaches each project with a commitment to creating spaces that not only meet functional needs but also inspire and uplift the people who use them. Molly is passionate about pushing the boundaries of interior design through innovative, regenerative practices. She is dedicated to creating spaces that balance aesthetic beauty with environmental responsibility, helping to shape a built environment that supports both human and ecological health.CONTACT:https://www.littleonline.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-diversified-architectural-consulting/ https://x.com/littleonlinehttps://www.instagram.com/littleonline_/ https://www.littleonline.com/insights/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 national building strategies, Sarah shares how customer experience, employee well-being, and operational efficiency intersect in every design decision.The conversation dives into flexible “kit of parts” store design, the role of daylight in staff spaces, and how massive retail environments can still feel intuitive and welcoming. Sarah also unpacks the realities of decarbonization, resilience planning for extreme weather, and the challenge of balancing sustainability with cost and speed.It’s a practical, insightful look at retail spaces that don’t just serve customers—they evolve with them.More About Sarah HeppinstallSarah Heppinstall is a construction and real estate leader with over 20 years of experience delivering complex retail and commercial projects across Canada. Throughout her career, she’s seen how sustainability goals succeed, or fail, based on how well they’re embedded into project delivery, governance, and day‑to‑day decision-making.In her senior leadership roles at Canadian Tire Corporation, First Capital REIT, and Colliers Project Leaders, Sarah led large-scale portfolios with a strong focus on responsible design, construction, and operations. At Canadian Tire, she played a key leadership role in advancing retail sustainability efforts, integrating environmental priorities into store development, capital planning, and execution at scale.Today, Sarah is the Founder and Principal of HEPPINSTALL PMO, where she helps retailers and landlords bring clarity, predictability, and calm to complex project portfolios, while ensuring sustainability objectives are practical, measurable, and achievable. Her work focuses on building practical project delivery methods that leaders actually use, grounded in clear execution, strong governance, and people-first leadership.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-heppinstall-0329b16/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 how creativity, curiosity, and experimentation shape the spaces we inhabit.The conversation dives into her pioneering “space plate” structures—lightweight, ultra-efficient systems inspired by nature’s own geometry—and how these designs could redefine sustainability, resilience, and even how we build our own homes. Anne also explores biomimicry, the role of daylight as a fundamental building material, and why empowering people to participate in creating their own spaces may be key to a better future.It’s a fascinating look at architecture that doesn’t just shelter us—it challenges, inspires, and evolves with us.More About Anne RommeAnne Romme, Architect, PhD. Associate Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Culture at the Royal Danish Academy. Founder of the bachelor program Finder Sted, Head of Program 2014-24. Member of the board of the Danish Institute in Athens, and of the Danish Acadmy. Recipient of the Cooper Union President's Citation 2023. Anne holds degrees from the Royal Danish Academy (Ph.D.), Princeton University School of Architecture (M.Arch), and Cooper Union School of Architecture (B.Arch.) She has taught, lectured and exhibited in Denmark and abroad.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneromme/?locale=da_DK https://www.instagram.com/anne_romme/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 how architecture can balance warmth, protection, and a meaningful connection to nature—even in some of the harshest environments on earth.The conversation dives into the psychology of light, the impact of seasonal extremes on well-being, and why thoughtful design matters more than ever. Knut also discusses his innovative use of Solera® aerogel glazing (R-10 / U-0.10), creating ultra-thin, highly insulated walls that transform how buildings capture and diffuse light.It’s an inspiring look at how great design doesn’t just respond to place—it elevates how we live within it.More About Knut HjeltnesKnut Hjeltnes is a Norwegian architect whose work reflects a deep sensitivity to landscape, climate, and human experience. With decades of practice and nearly 30 years teaching at the Oslo School of Architecture, he has developed a design philosophy rooted in simplicity, material honesty, and environmental awareness. From an early age, Hjeltnes felt drawn to architecture, combining his interests in science and drawing into a career that emphasizes thoughtful, context-driven design. His projects often respond directly to Norway’s unique conditions—balancing light, warmth, and protection in a challenging northern climate.Today, Hjeltnes runs his own architectural practice, focusing on projects that enhance well-being while respecting nature and resource efficiency. His work ranges from intimate residential designs to innovative infrastructure, such as visually striking avalanche galleries that integrate seamlessly into the landscape. Known for his use of natural materials and advanced building technologies, he continuously explores how architecture can improve daily life. His approach prioritizes both beauty and function, aiming to create spaces that not only serve practical needs but also shape how people feel, live, and connect with their environment.CONTACT:https://www.hjeltnes.as/ https://www.instagram.com/hjeltnes.architects/ Email: [email protected] To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 infrastructure in Guatemala using recycled materials like tires, plastic bottles, and earth.Matt shares how his team transformed waste into opportunity—constructing resilient, comfortable buildings that stay naturally temperate, maximize daylight, and foster a deeper connection between people and place. From hands-on community collaboration to integrating sustainable construction into education, this episode highlights how design can directly combat poverty while empowering future generations.It’s an inspiring conversation about rethinking materials, redefining comfort, and proving that great buildings can change lives far beyond their walls.More About Matthew PanaitzMatthew Paneitz first visited San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala, as a Peace Corps volunteer in 2002. To address the extreme poverty in the region, Matt founded the non-profit organization Long Way Home (LWH) in 2004. From 2008 to 2025, the LWH team transformed 550 tons of trash (including 35,000 used tires) into the Hero School green-built campus. Matthew documented the process at lwhomegreen.org. By spending his evenings earning a Bachelor's degree in Sustainability and a Master’s in Education, Matt was also able to ensure that not only was the landscape transformed, but also the school's approach to primary, middle, and high school education. Matt is currently a doctoral student in Education at Antioch University.CONTACT:https://lwhome.org/https://www.linkedin.com/company/long-way-home/https://www.instagram.com/lwhome_org/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/lwhomeorghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGp4wuyTpyGytkXWSwYX1SAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsVjfPpdzoYWhere To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 Research, they unpack how the urban heat island effect disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities and why conventional cooling solutions fall short.Together, they explore an innovative breakthrough—membrane-assisted radiant cooling—and how it reimagines comfort by cooling people directly, not the air around them. From solar-powered cooling shelters to redesigned bus stops, their work blends building science, material innovation, and human-centered design to reduce heat stress in real-world settings. This episode challenges us to rethink how cities can become not just more sustainable—but more livable, equitable, and resilient in a warming world.More About Dorit Aviv and Eric TeitelbaumDorit Aviv, PhD, AIA, is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, where she directs of the Thermal Architecture Lab, a cross-disciplinary laboratory at the intersection of thermodynamics, architecture, and material science. Her work examines synergies between renewable environmental forces and architectural materials and forms to improve energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing. Aviv is a licensed architect and holds a PhD in architectural technology from Princeton University. Her work has been supported by federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Her prototypes for passive and low-energy cooling have won major international awards, including a Holcim Award for Sustainable Design and Construction for a prototype of passive cooling in desert climate in 2021 and a Ramboll Foundation grant to investigate applications of radiant cooling for urban shelters in 2024.Eric Teitelbaum, PhD, is an engineer and educator working at the intersection of architectural systems, thermal comfort, and materials science. With AIL Research Inc., he develops novel technologies that reduce reliance on conventional air conditioning. His research and development efforts have been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDA. A lifelong tinkerer, DIY home renovator, treehouse builder, and inventor of sensors and heat pumps, Eric believes deeply in learning through building with your hands. Most recently, he has focused on developing and commercializing membrane-assisted radiant cooling panels for outdoor thermal comfort as cofounder of the early-stage startup Clearly Cool.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorit-aviv/ https://www.instagram.com/thermal_architecture_lab/https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-teitelbaum-16805bb9/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 Research, they unpack how the urban heat island effect disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities and why conventional cooling solutions fall short.Together, they explore an innovative breakthrough—membrane-assisted radiant cooling—and how it reimagines comfort by cooling people directly, not the air around them. From solar-powered cooling shelters to redesigned bus stops, their work blends building science, material innovation, and human-centered design to reduce heat stress in real-world settings. This episode challenges us to rethink how cities can become not just more sustainable—but more livable, equitable, and resilient in a warming world.More About Dorit Aviv and Eric TeitelbaumDorit Aviv, PhD, AIA, is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, where she directs of the Thermal Architecture Lab, a cross-disciplinary laboratory at the intersection of thermodynamics, architecture, and material science. Her work examines synergies between renewable environmental forces and architectural materials and forms to improve energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing. Aviv is a licensed architect and holds a PhD in architectural technology from Princeton University. Her work has been supported by federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Her prototypes for passive and low-energy cooling have won major international awards, including a Holcim Award for Sustainable Design and Construction for a prototype of passive cooling in desert climate in 2021 and a Ramboll Foundation grant to investigate applications of radiant cooling for urban shelters in 2024.Eric Teitelbaum, PhD, is an engineer and educator working at the intersection of architectural systems, thermal comfort, and materials science. With AIL Research Inc., he develops novel technologies that reduce reliance on conventional air conditioning. His research and development efforts have been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDA. A lifelong tinkerer, DIY home renovator, treehouse builder, and inventor of sensors and heat pumps, Eric believes deeply in learning through building with your hands. Most recently, he has focused on developing and commercializing membrane-assisted radiant cooling panels for outdoor thermal comfort as cofounder of the early-stage startup Clearly Cool.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorit-aviv/ https://www.instagram.com/thermal_architecture_lab/https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-teitelbaum-16805bb9/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 criminology to better understand inmate needs, Helena shares a deeply human approach to one of architecture’s most misunderstood sectors.Together, they explore how thoughtful design—natural light, ventilation, intuitive layouts, and access to education—can reduce stress, support rehabilitation, and ultimately lower recidivism. Helena introduces the concept of salutogenic design and explains how creating safer, more humane environments benefits not just inmates, but society as a whole. This episode reframes prisons not as places of punishment alone, but as spaces with the potential to foster healthier futures.More About Helena Queiroz PombaresHelena Pombares is an architect and criminologist with 20 years’ experience in justice architecture, and a criminology (and paths) lecturer in the UK. Helena also possesses a masters’ degree in Prisons Architecture and is on the final steps of her journey of a Professional Doctorate degree at University of West London (UWL), researching “Salutogenic Architecture - Reshaping Prison Design for the 21st Century”. With extensive experience she works in the justice field connecting research evidence and practice base as a prison architect specialist and a researcher, bringing together architecture and criminology. Her research on salutogenic architecture of carceral spaces feeds her passion on the effects the built environment has on the users of the space, like staff and inmates, using the evidence found to inform planning and design of carceral spaces to positively impact society.CONTACT:linkedin.com/in/helena-queiroz-pombares-fhea-4606237 Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

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 company that helps developers navigate the often confusing world of zoning and approvals, Chelsey shares how small, strategic changes can unlock massive potential in our existing neighborhoods. Together, they explore the environmental and social impact of infill, from reducing emissions to combating the growing loneliness epidemic in modern cities.The conversation also dives into Wello Living, her innovative housing concept designed for the rise of roommate living and shifting lifestyle needs. This episode challenges us to rethink how we build our cities—not outward, but inward—and why the future of better living might already be right in front of us.More About Chelsey JersakChelsey Jersak is a trailblazing urban planner and the founder of Situate, one of Canada’s fastest-growing planning firms, as well as the co-founder of Wello Living—a bold new housing development reimagining how we live, share, and build community.With a career that spans real estate, policy reform, and systemic design, Chelsey is known for turning big ideas into real-world solutions. She helped amend Alberta’s Human Rights Act to allow children in apartment buildings, and today, she’s pioneering multi-bedroom, shared housing models that address affordability, loneliness, and the outdated myth of the nuclear family home.Splitting her time between Edmonton and Mexico City, Chelsey offers a unique, cross-border perspective on urban development. Her work challenges conventional planning norms with a simple philosophy: build for real life, not outdated ideals.Whether she’s advocating for third spaces, co-living arrangements, or more inclusive neighborhoods, Chelsey brings a refreshingly honest and practical voice to conversations about housing, community, and the future of our cities.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseyjersak/Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd