Video: "Managing Transparency and Material Health in Practice - Introduction to Firm-Level Issues"

This Fall Parsons Healthy Materials Lab and Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC) are hosting a discussion series on Transparency and Material Health. This Four-Part, live Discussion Series provides practical answers to questions that architectural and design practitioners are likely to encounter as they take the next steps to integrate healthy materials practices into product selection and specification in their projects.

The first Discussion in our series, entitled “Managing Transparency and Material Health in Practice - Introduction to Firm-Level Issues” was on September 18th, 2018. In this session, our experienced panelists shared how they have addressed the firm-level administrative and management issues which may arise with the decision to include transparency and material health information in projects. Topics included: design philosophy, education and training, and the firm/client value proposition and ROI.

Speakers included:

o John Amatruda, Principal – Vidaris, Inc.

o Robin Guenther, Principal - Perkins+Will

o Amanda Kaminsky, Founder and Principal - Building Product Ecosystems

o Alison Mears, Director- Parsons Healthy Materials Lab

o Wendy Vittori, Executive Director - Health Product Declaration Collaborative

October 9th: “Transparency and Material Health ‘In Practice’ Accessing and Using Transparency and Material Health Information”

This second Discussion provided an overview of transparency reports and material health databases and libraries available for use by architecture and design practices. Our panelists shared their practical approaches to integrating these tools and information with their existing firm libraries. We also addressed the techniques they have used to prepare design professionals, through education and practice, to use these tools in project documentation, specifications, and to obtain LEED/WELL and other building certification credits.

Panelists:

• Mary Dickinson, Perkins+Will
• Susan Kaplan, HLW International
• Jack Dinning, Donghia healthier Materials Library at Parsons
• Alison Mears, Parsons Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons
• Wendy Vittori, HPD Collaborative

Watch the video here.