Material Health – Sustainable Architecture Awareness Month ’23

Members of Amenta Emma’s Sustainability team will be sharing their knowledge and some practices throughout the month of April.

In 2022, we developed a simple chart to evaluate materials on material health and environmental impact based on various product evaluation systems. We use matching labels in our product libraries so we can immediately understand a product’s impact. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we have revamped our standard specifications to reflect materials and products with lower health and environmental impacts. For example, all our standard toilet fixtures are WaterSense Compliant, meeting strict requirements for water efficiency and performance. We continue to research and implement alternative materials, products and approaches to design and construction that have the potential to contribute to the sustainability of our projects, including insulation, bio-based resilient flooring, zero VOC paint, concrete made of post-consumer recycled glass, green roofs, and modular construction. Considerations of material performance relative to the environment and human health are integral to our design process, essential to creating great places and central to our mission.

Andrea Olson, AIA, IIDA, WELL AP

Andrea Olson, AIA, IIDA, WELL AP

Andrea is a Project Architect in Amenta Emma's Senior Living studio. She is also a member of the firm's Sustainability Committee.

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