Better Buildings For Humans

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Yohany Albornoz, a trailblazing neuroarchitect and founder of Discover Neuroarchitecture and Marketer Architect Agency. Together, they delve into the burgeoning field of neuroarchitecture—an interdisciplinary approach that integrates neuroscience and design to create spaces that align with human biology and behavior.

Yohany shares compelling insights and case studies, from the healing power of nature views in hospitals to the cognitive boost provided by biophilic classrooms. Listeners will hear about the subtle yet profound impact of architecture on emotions, productivity, and even problem-solving—illustrated by stories like Jonas Salk’s groundbreaking polio vaccine discovery.

Discover how neuroarchitecture prioritizes well-being, fosters a sense of belonging, and redefines what it means to inhabit a space. Don’t miss this episode packed with inspiration for designing spaces that truly serve humanity.

About Yohany Albornoz:

Yohany Albornoz is a Venezuelan Architect specialized in the intersection of neuroscience and architecture. She holds a Master’s degree in Neuroscience for Architecture from Universitat Iuav di Venezia (2021), postgraduate studies in Visual Design and Branding from Artidi, Barcelona (2018), and another Master in Architectural Acoustics from Universidad Ramon Llull (2011). Her early architectural foundations were laid at FAU UCV, Caracas, Venezuela, where she graduated in 2008.

As an independent researcher, she contributes as consultant at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley under the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research, Neurosciences and Human Genetics, led by Dr. Gladys Maestre.

Alongside her research, she is guest teacher in neuroarchitecture courses and is a co-founder of Discover Neuroarchitecture, Human Sensory Studio & Consulting, co-founder of Building Art X, Consulting Services for Public Art Projects, and co-founder of The Marketer Architect Agency, dedicated to commercial interior design.

Beyond her professional commitments, she is dedicated to her family as a wife and mother of two, and actively promotes breastfeeding as an advocate for maternal health.

CONTACT:

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back Alejandra Menchaca of AIRLIT Studio for an insightful deep dive into TEDI—Thermal Energy Demand Intensity. As a repeat guest, Alejandra shares her expertise in sustainable and human-centric design, making complex concepts accessible.

Together, they unpack the significance of TEDI, distinguishing it from metrics like Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and exploring how it informs passive building design. Alejandra explains why TEDI is a crucial metric in Massachusetts’ stretch energy code, its role in Passive House certification, and its implications for building resilience and grid capacity as electrification accelerates.

Listeners will also learn about the challenges of balancing energy efficiency with human-centric design, as Alejandra dispels misconceptions and highlights the metric's potential to harmonize sustainability with occupant well-being. Don’t miss this comprehensive guide to designing better, smarter buildings.

Where to Find Ale Menchaca:

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski is joined by Craig Schiller, Executive Director of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHiPs). Together, they delve into the importance of creating high-performance schools that prioritize student and teacher well-being, productivity, and safety while addressing climate resilience.

Craig shares his journey from environmental studies to leading CHiPs and explains the organization's mission to establish school-specific building standards. They explore what defines a high-performance school, emphasizing factors like daylighting, mental health, and safety. Craig also discusses the challenges of balancing energy efficiency with creating environments that support learning and wellness.

The conversation highlights CHiPs' three key programs—Design, Verified, and Minor Renovations—and their goal to evolve beyond building certifications to support school districts more comprehensively. Craig calls for collaboration among stakeholders, from architects to manufacturers, and outlines the "Raise the Floor Initiative," aimed at uniting resources for sustainable school design.

Tune in to learn how thoughtful design and collaboration can transform schools into inspiring spaces for future generations.

About Craig Schiller

Craig Schiller began his career as a researcher and sustainability advocate who focused on how schools could be used as sustainability teaching tools while improving the health and performance of their students. He came to CHPS after a decade designing, administering, and growing decarbonization programs in the higher education, climate policy, building, and aviation sectors for the climate-focused think-tank RMI in the District of Columbia.​ Craig has B.S. Degrees in Geology & Geophysics and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin and a M.S. in Sustainable Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-a-schiller

https://chps.net/craig-schiller

Where To Find Us:

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski is joined by Scott Zimmerman, founder of Silas Inc., to explore how lighting impacts health in ways we often overlook. With over 30 years in lighting and optics, Scott dives into how modern LED lighting, with its narrow spectrum, may be compromising our well-being. He shares the importance of near-infrared light—a part of natural sunlight often missing indoors—and explains how this missing spectrum could influence sleep, immunity, and overall health.

Together, Joe and Scott discuss the potential of lighting that better mimics sunlight, offering a healthier indoor environment. From challenges in the lighting industry to innovative solutions, Scott reveals why restoring elements of natural light in our spaces could transform wellness for people of all ages.

Tune in to learn more about the critical role of light in building design and the future of healthier indoor lighting.

About Scott Zimmerman

Scott has more than 35 years of experience in the fields of lighting and displays. His innovations and inventions have been used successfully in a wide range of military and commercial products that include night vision displays, liquid crystal display backlighting designs, and lighting fixtures.

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski is joined by Dr. Douglas Milburn, co-founder and chairman of Advanced Glazings Ltd and inventor of Solera® and SoleraWall®. Doug shares his journey from his background in physics and solar energy research to founding a company focused on translucent glazing solutions that bridge insulation with natural light.

Joe and Doug discuss the power of facades not only as protective barriers but as essential connectors to the outside world. They dive into how translucent glazing can create vibrant, daylight-filled spaces without the glare or energy loss associated with traditional glass. Doug explains his philosophy of "conspicuous green," advocating for green technologies that enhance, rather than restrict, the human experience within buildings.

From public arenas to office spaces, Doug explores how ideal translucent glazing can transform environments, fostering comfort, productivity, and well-being. They also discuss the impact of natural light on mental health, retail environments, and the unique challenges and benefits of creating well-lit educational spaces.

Tune in to learn more about Doug’s vision for sustainable, human-centered building design and the role of light in creating better spaces for people to live, work, and play.

About Doug Milburn

As a long-time entrepreneur and innovator, Dr. Doug Milburn thrives on solving problems. For more than 35 years, he has brought his vision and passion to manufacturing, engineering, software development and process engineering. Throughout his leadership, Dr. Milburn has aimed to create great workplaces by shaping a company’s success through corporate values and ethical guidelines.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, , Dr. Milburn earned his undergraduate and Master’s degree in physics at Mount Allison University, before finishing his studies with a PhD in mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo.

In 1995, Dr. Milburn and his wife Michelle co-founded Advanced Glazings, which developed and manufactures SOLERA light diffusing glass, which enables architects to create beautifully daylighted buildings that are incredibly energy efficient.

In 2001, Dr. Milburn co-founded Protocase with Steve Lilley. Protocase helps engineers, innovators and scientists accelerate their project timelines by manufacturing custom metal enclosures and parts in 2-3 days, with no minimum order requirements.

Lilley and Dr. Milburn took the entrepreneurial leap once more in 2014, with the start of 45Drives. As a new enterprise company, 45Drives helps companies manage and scale their data-storage needs with ultra-large storage servers and clusters that are powerful, flexible and affordable.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-milburn-45864b2a/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.protocase.com/