TIME: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Session Abstract:
Recent socio-economic and environmental challenges underscore the urgent need to reimagine architectural design to foster social equity, environmental sustainability, and health. This is especially crucial as Canadians spend over 90% of their lives indoors. This is particularly vital in educational settings, where the design can significantly impact children's mental health amid growing anxieties about social pressures and global environmental concerns.
The building industry must urgently rethink traditional design and construction methods because of the dual crises of climate change and public health. This presentation will examine the transformative possibilities of biophilic design as a revolutionary approach to regenerative architecture, highlighting its impact on health and promoting a significant shift in building practices.
Focusing on a holistic design for an elementary school in Toronto, Ontario, we will showcase a business case for low-carbon designs prioritizing occupant well-being. The presentation will also detail using life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) as critical tools for developing sustainable, health-oriented architectural solutions.
Attendees will be introduced to a comprehensive set of principles for health-centric design, gaining insights into integrating environmental, economic, and social sustainability into architectural practices to enhance both human and planetary well-being.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understand the Role of Biophilic Design in Modern Architecture: Participants will learn about the principles of biophilic design and its significance in promoting environmental sustainability, social equity, and health within built environments, particularly in response to current socio-economic and environmental challenges.
• Analyze the Impact of Built Environments on Health and Well-being: Attendees will gain insights into how architectural designs, especially in educational settings, influence the mental and physical health of occupants, with a focus on mitigating stress and anxiety among children.
• Explore the Application of Life Cycle Assessments in Building Design: Learners will explore how tools like life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) can be utilized for comprehensive evaluations of environmental impacts and costs associated with building designs, aiding in the formulation of sustainable business cases.
• Apply a Comprehensive Framework for Sustainable Design: Participants will be introduced to a set of guiding principles for designing health-centric and low-carbon buildings. They will learn how to apply these principles practically, using the case study of an elementary school in Toronto to understand the business and health benefits of sustainable architectural practices.
About the speaker:
Veronica Madonna is an Assistant Professor at the RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University and founder of Studio VMA Inc., a design practice dedicated to forming symbiotic relationships between buildings, land, and communities. She is an award-winning architect and Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada with over 20 years of professional experience leading innovative and sustainable building designs. At the centre of her practice is applying research to advance innovation toward a low-carbon, regenerative and healthier future.
Registration Fee:
Licensed OAA Member: $39 + HST
OAA Interns: $29 + HST
Non-Members: $59 + HST
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