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 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

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 shaped by European architecture to leading firm-wide sustainability strategies, Jenny shares how design decisions—especially those made early—can dramatically influence both carbon impact and occupant experience. The conversation dives into embodied carbon, adaptive reuse, and the growing role of mass timber, while highlighting the importance of community-driven design and collaboration across disciplines.Jenny offers practical insights on aligning client priorities with wellness outcomes, proving that sustainability and human health are not competing goals—but inseparable ones. This episode challenges us to design buildings that people don’t just use—but truly value and preserve.More About Jenny HeimJenny Heim, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador, is a Senior Associateand the Sustainable Design Leader for McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. Jenny’s role includes serving projects with ambitious design excellence and sustainability goals, assisting clients with feasibility and budgeting, and guiding design teams toward sustainable and regenerative solutions. Her expertise in sustainability and passion for making a positive impact embody the firm’s commitment to design excellence, stewardship, and service.  Jenny has a B.Arch in Architecture from Penn State University and an M.Arch Architecture-Sustainable  Design from Texas University at Austin.  Jenny loves collaborating with teams and projects in service to clients and communities across the MPS footprint, while leading, developing, and elevating the firm’s Design Excellence and Sustainability goals aligned with the AIA 2030 Commitment and AIA Materials Pledge.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpsarchitecture/  https://www.instagram.com/mpsarchitecture   https://www.facebook.com/mpsarchitecture 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 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 communicate purpose through film, Robert shares a deeply personal journey into creativity, connection, and meaning.Together, they unpack the power of “character-driven storytelling” and why human emotion—not technical specs—is what truly resonates with clients. The conversation dives into neuroscience, trust, and how the spaces we design can shape health, behavior, and community. Through real-world examples, Robert reveals how authentic stories can cut through greenwashing and inspire lasting impact.This episode challenges us to rethink how we communicate design—and why it matters more than ever.More About Robert BeanRobert Bean is the co-founder of IMPACT, a character-driven storytelling agency helping wellness, design, and hospitality brands uncover the deeper narrative behind their work. A former Airbus commercial pilot, Robert left a dream career in aviation to pursue a more meaningful path, one rooted in beauty, truth, and connection. Today, he brings his systems thinking and storytelling intuition to brands, helping them close the gap between who they are and how they’re seen. His work as a filmmaker has earned multiple awards worldwide for documentary and brand storytelling, and his approach blends precision, strategy, and soul in equal measure.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsbean/       https://www.instagram.com/impactfulstorytelling/ www.impact.eco  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 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 into camouflage, forced-entry protection, and the engineering behind secret doors that truly disappear.Steve shares how his background in mechanical engineering, robotics, and home automation led him to build thousands of custom security solutions for everyone from CEOs to royal clients. The conversation explores panic rooms, bullet-resistant materials, EMP protection, and the surprising vulnerabilities of traditional safes. But beyond the intrigue, this episode reveals a powerful design insight: great security isn’t just about strength—it’s about thoughtful integration, precision, and architectural harmony that protects what matters most.More About Steve HumbleSteve Humble grew up in cities around the world as the son of a pilot in the US air force. In 2003 he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University. Steve started his engineering career in aerospace at Honeywell's military turbine engines division and later at the Boeing aircraft company. He went on to design both home automation systems and robotic surgical lasers before starting his own security engineering firm at the age of only 26. He founded Creative Home Engineering in 2003 and has a 10,600 square foot facility based in Ariz. The company specializes in the design and fabrication of motorized hidden passageways and covert high-security vault doors. With more than 20 years of experience and 5,000 unique secret passageways under his belt, Steve's top-secret client list is a veritable who's-who of high-profile business executives, heads-of-state, celebrities, pro-athletes, and ordinary security-minded home owners all around the globe. He also started the Hidden Door Store, a more affordable option for the person that likes to DIY.  To learn more, hiddenpassageway.com or hiddendoorstore.com.Contact:https://www.facebook.com/CreativeHomeEngineeringhttps://www.instagram.com/hidden_passageway/ 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 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 home studio and office around advanced daylighting—transforming the way he works, creates music, and experiences the workday.Joe and John explore how controlled, diffused daylight can eliminate glare, reduce heat, and replace the harsh fatigue of artificial lighting with balanced, full-spectrum illumination. The conversation dives into the science behind managing sunlight, the surprising role of translucent glazing in privacy and acoustic control, and how thoughtfully designed daylight can boost productivity, creativity, and well-being.From home studios to schools and workplaces, this episode shows how better light can fundamentally reshape the spaces where we live and work—and how experiencing it firsthand can change everything.More About Jon PhillipsTo comeContact:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonlindsayphillips/ https://www.phillcommglobal.org/ https://x.com/phillcomm?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/phillcomm/?hl=en  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 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 company, Richard shares how his early hands-on training in building science shaped his passion for craftsmanship, performance, and people-centered architecture.Together, they explore why the “fifth façade” — the roof — may be the most important surface of all, how natural daylight from above outperforms vertical glazing, and why ventilation is critical to occupant well-being. The conversation also tackles urban density, renovation of aging housing stock, climate resilience, and the urgent need to build homes for purpose — not just profit. This episode is a powerful reminder that great buildings start with one thing: people.More About Richard WilliamsRichard Williams’ passion for architecture gave him significant insight into the design, specification, and project planning of a wide range of projects throughout the Cotswolds, where he worked within several architectural practices as an Architectural Technician.He joined VELUX Company Ltd more than 30 years ago, and in his current role as Senior Architectural Development Manager, Richard Williams collaborates with colleagues across multiple countries, sharing industry insights and strengthening ongoing relationships within the architectural community.Contact:https://hdawards.org/ https://hdawards.org/living-places/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/velux_yesterday-we-were-proud-to-celebrate-participants-activity-7369674420702969856-wief?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIRKIMBpAPsGNrXCmSGc8zj03bLKRHa1oM 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 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., Helia shares how her artistic upbringing, architectural training, and PhD research shaped her mission to bridge design and behavioral science.From retail prototypes to global workplace research, she explores how culture, climate, and community shape the way we experience buildings. The conversation also tackles post-occupancy evaluation, data gaps in architecture, and her passion for creating walkable, connected cities. This episode is a powerful call to measure our impact, design with intention, and build flexible spaces that truly serve human needs.More About Dr. Helia TaheriDr. Helia Taheri is an award-winning mixed-methods researcher with 8+ years of experience in strategizing and conducting human-centric research in multidisciplinary teams to have a positive impact on people, the planet, and business. She considers herself a pollinator between different fields of architecture, human behavior, and sustainability and commits to bridging the gap between industry and academia.  Helia has a passion for learning and distributing knowledge and is actively engaged in presenting at conferences and publishing articles that connect the latest research with practice. She is a guest lecturer at universities such as Carnegie Mellon, USC, and Portland State University and a mentor to increase awareness among younger researchers about their important role in achieving data-driven design in architecture. Helia has a Ph.D. in human-centric research from North Carolina State University, an M.S. in Sustainability, and a B.Arch. in Architectural Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran.CONTACT:https://www.arcadis.com/en-us/insights/blog/united-states/helia-taheri/2024/arcadiss-approach-to-post-occupancy-evaluationhttps://www.arcadis.com/en-us/insights/blog/united-states/helia-taheri/2024/how-can-data-driven-strategies-support-the-evolution-of-Workplace-design https://www.linkedin.com/in/heliataheri/ 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