22 INSIGHTS
As well as lowering costs, it ultimately provides an environment where fiscal rewards can be reaped from increased productivity
occupational exposure to fumes, chemicals and dust. Watson says: “Clearly choice of materials affects the working environment, from the need to cut concrete blocks and the dust that creates, through to the specification of paint, resins, and adhesives, suggests the move to cleaner offsite construction methods may have consider- able benefits.
left at the end of the product’s life. It is 100 per cent biodegradable and can be recycled as soil.” He believes this sort of “bio-fabrica- tion” could support a carbon neutral building process, “eliminating products such as artificial insulation used in walls, MDF and other non-load bearing structures.”
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this is the realisation that the development of materials such as Mycelium shows a changing attitude within the construction industry towards more sustainable, environmentally conscious materials. Watson says: “It indicates a desire within the industry to create and foster a more “cradle to cradle” attitude towards building.”
Material toxicity
While many natural materials have a demonstrably positive effect on users, materials can also have a detrimental effect on wellbeing. Watson highlights emerging concern relating to materials that contain toxicants (toxic substances emitted into the environment) and/or emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). “Toxicants can assert their effects during the manufacture, use or disposal of a product, and may be carcinogenic, or otherwise impact the respira- tory, neurological, endocrine or other systems.” He gives examples of paint emitting VOCs, particleboard containing formaldehyde, flooring containing phthalates, and furniture which is often coated in flame retardant. “Each of these is likely to contain toxicants, and this is only the tip of the iceberg – the vast majority of manufactur- ing ingredients are poorly understood for their health impacts.” Research has demonstrated however that reducing exposure to toxicants has real, measurable health benefits. Watson elaborates: “A recent study shows that minimising VOC emissions in an office environment can significantly improve cognition; positive news for an employer whose operating budget is almost entirely tied to employee costs and productivity. Eliminating formaldehyde has shown potential to reduce asthma symptoms by over half.” He adds: “Many studies claim that overall, these kinds of interven- tional measures are much more cost effective than clinical treatment of illness.” Watson asserts that the industry “has grown more confident when speaking about the environmental impacts of the products we use. Data related to recycled content or regional materials, for example, have become commonplace.” However he adds that “the same cannot be said about data related to human health impacts. We need to understand more about this as an industry.” It’s not just the end-user’s wellbeing that needs to be considered. Every year, more than 500 construction workers die from lung cancer attributed to silica dust alone, and an estimated 4,000 deaths from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are from past
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK Detail is key
When asked about the main challenge faced by those tasked with material specification for human-centred design, Watson believes it lies in the level of consideration designers will give to understand- ing the materials they specify; “how thoughtful designers are at considering wellbeing right into the detail of material specification; making sure that the materials involved are sustainable, and non- toxic in assembly, construction, and disposal.” He continues: “Cost is always a consideration, but I think if people are committed and prepared to spend a little more time researching their material choices and not just picking things because it’s what they used on the last job, benefits can be reaped. Watson concludes: “Challenging contractors and their supply chains to use natural materials and is the key,” advocating open access to a database or library that documents the qualities of materials, their sourcing and application such Portico in the US – which he says “would be of great help to designers.”
The future is smart
Watson believes that smart materials, specifically thermo-bimetals, will have a role to play in the future of human-centred buildings. Described as “self-actuating responsive materials that enable build- ings and other architectural structures to adapt to their environment,” thermo-bimetals are a lamination of manganese and nickel. When heated, one metal will expand faster than the other, resulting in a curling displacement, meaning panels can open and close in response to heat generated in the surrounding environment. Watson describes two possible locations: “By integrating thermo- bimetals into window systems a self-regulated shading system could enable a window to shade itself only in the areas that are affected by sunlight, and they could also as a safety device, shutting the air out of a building in a fire.”
He is excited to see technology moving forward to help facili- tate and replicate the effects of daylighting, natural materials and water features where it’s not feasible to use natural materials. He concludes: “Technology can be used to change the colour, reduce glare and get better distribution of lighting. Having full control of LED systems can enable the colour temperature to be changed depending on the time of day or night. Sound systems can play the sound of water to reduce noise in the office. In Japan, there are buildings where every now and then, a breeze will come through the space; not from a window, but generated by controlled building services.”
Research and development into materials partnered with a progressive approach to specification is paving the way for a much more enlightened future for human-centred design.
ADF OCTOBER 2017
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