In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Dorit Aviv, architect, researcher, and founder of the Thermal Architecture Lab at the University of Pennsylvania. Dorit shares her journey from designing passive cooling systems to pioneering new ways buildings can interact with their climate through material science and thermodynamics.
The conversation explores how architecture can move beyond conventional air conditioning, using radiant cooling, adaptive materials, and full-scale prototypes to create more sustainable and comfortable spaces. Dorit explains the importance of designing for real-world conditions, from urban cooling shelters to cutting-edge research on carbon-absorbing concrete.
With a deep focus on the interplay between energy, comfort, and sustainability, Dorit’s work challenges how we think about cooling, climate resilience, and the built environment. Whether you’re an architect, engineer, or just fascinated by the future of design, this episode is full of inspiration and innovation. Don’t miss it!
More About Dorit Aviv
Dorit Aviv, PhD, AIA, is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Weitzman School of Design, specializing in sustainability and environmental performance. She is the director 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. Aviv is a licensed architect and holds a PhD in architectural technology from Princeton University. 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.
CONTACT:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorit-aviv/
https://www.instagram.com/thermal_architecture_lab/
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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Marta Delgado, architect, researcher, and advocate for research-informed design. Marta shares her journey from studying environmental design at UC Berkeley to her role at the Center for Conscious Design, where she helps create healthier spaces through grassroots movements and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The discussion delves into the philosophy behind her work, emphasizing the importance of designing spaces that promote well-being in high-pressure environments. Marta explains how recharge rooms, thoughtful architecture, and restorative design can alleviate stress and improve mental resilience, offering real-world examples like a reimagined fire station.
From her views on neuroarchitecture to creating meaningful, personalized spaces, Marta provides inspiration for architects, engineers, and anyone passionate about how buildings impact lives. Whether exploring her platform, Architecture with Meaning, or leading global initiatives, Marta exemplifies how design can connect us to place and each other. Don't miss this insightful conversation!
More about Marta Delgado
Marta holds a professional degree in Architecture from the International University of Catalunya and a Master of Science from the University of California, Berkeley. She specializes in the intersection between cognitive science and the built environment, which she translates into research-informed design strategies for commercial and public spaces through her company, AWM (Architecture with Meaning).Additionally, she serves as the Head of Community Development at the Centre for Conscious Design (CCD), with the mission to foster frameworks for human and social flourishing and to support professionals in a field and industry in development. She organizes a monthly event, The Cave, where you can ask her any questions!
CONTACT:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-delgado-5572bb101/
https://architecturewithmeaning.com/
https://theccd.org/event-series/the-cave/
https://theccd.org/event-series/conscious-cities-festival-2025/
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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Peter Simmonds, a renowned mechanical engineer with a storied career in designing high-performance systems for some of the world’s tallest buildings. From his early days working on hospitals in the Netherlands to iconic projects like the Petronas Towers and Louis Vuitton Museum, Peter shares unparalleled insights into building physics, radiant heating and cooling, and the challenges of designing skyscrapers.
The conversation dives deep into optimizing energy efficiency, minimizing carbon footprints, and the unique hurdles of passive design for mega-tall structures. Peter also discusses the critical role of collaboration in creating innovative buildings that balance functionality, comfort, and sustainability. Whether you're an engineer, architect, or building enthusiast, this episode is brimming with expertise and inspiration. Tune in to discover how great teams build extraordinary buildings!
More About Peter Simmonds
Peter Simmonds has been involved in designing and operating tall, supertall, and mega-tall buildings worldwide for more than 30 years. He has authored or co-authored more than 60 technical papers and articles. He is the author of the ASHRAE Design Guide for Tall, Supertall, and Mega Tall Building Systems (2015), second edition (2020), and co-author of the ASHRAE/REHVA Active and Passive Beam Application Design Guide (2014) and the ASHRAE Natural Ventilation Design Guide (2020). He has one Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and another in Research and Development from Reading Technical College in England; a master’s degree from Hogere Technische School, Den Bosch, The Netherlands; and a PhD.
Peter Simmonds is a Fellow Life Member of ASHRAE and has been awarded the following:
2006 - Fellow Award
2009 - Distinguished Service Award
2014 - Exceptional Service Award
2019 - Crosby Field Award
2020 - Regional Award of Merit
2021 - John F James International Award
Peter is semi-retired and spends his time between projects mentoring students and teaching at TU Delft and The University of Applied Sciences in Munich.
CONTACT:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-simmonds-a812b3154/
https://petersimmonds.com/director/
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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski is joined by co-host Dr. Doug Milburn, founder and chairman of Advanced Glazing, and the renowned architect Brian MacKay-Lyons, often celebrated as the "poet of place." Together, they explore the transformative power of architecture to harmonize with local landscapes while addressing universal human needs.
Brian shares his journey from a small Nova Scotia village to becoming a global architectural icon, describing how his "critical regionalist" style honors local materials, landscapes, and cultural traditions. The conversation dives deep into the philosophy of designing buildings that provide both privacy and community, integrating light, energy efficiency, and timeless architectural principles.
Highlighting a collaborative project, Doug and Brian discuss the creation of a modern, energy-efficient lakeside home in Cape Breton that merges technological innovation with a deep respect for the natural environment. The house features thoughtful designs to maximize natural light, thermal comfort, and stunning views while remaining off-grid and eco-friendly.
Brian also shares insights on upcoming projects, including the new Canadian Embassy in Australia, which integrates Indigenous values into its design. Whether you're an architect, designer, or someone passionate about the intersection of buildings and human experience, this episode offers inspiration and profound reflections on the art of place-making.
CONTACT:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-milburn-45864b2a/?originalSubdomain=ca
https://www.mlsarchitects.ca/team/brian-mackay-lyons
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-mackay-lyons-a8a60616/
https://www.instagram.com/mackaylyonssweetapple/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028549793337
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mackay-lyons-sweetapple-architects/
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast
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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski is joined by Roger Wilkerson, Healthcare Practice Leader at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting. Together, they delve into the fascinating world of healthcare architecture, unpacking the unique challenges and transformative possibilities in designing spaces that heal.
Roger shares insights from his rich career, including how healthcare facilities operate like "battleships," requiring intricate planning for safety, complexity, and adaptability. From the critical role of natural light in shortening patient stays and reducing pain medication needs to the surprising evidence behind art and noise reduction in healing environments, Roger explains how design profoundly impacts patients, staff, and families alike.
Whether discussing master planning for hospitals' future growth or creating spaces that serve communities with beauty and functionality, Roger highlights the power of architecture to improve lives. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of design, health, and human experience.
More About Roger Wilkerson
Roger Wilkerson has over 30 years of experience in management and healthcare design. He is highly skilled at business development and administration and cultivating lasting relationships with key decision-makers in the healthcare industry. Roger meets with clients to review performance and consistently finds ways to improve productivity, technology, budgeting, process optimization, and client relations. He has a proven ability to create and lead successful teams that deliver the highest expectations.
CONTACT:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-wilkerson/
https://www.littleonline.com/leadership/roger-wilkerson/
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