Materials selection is a key aspect of designing for health and sustainability. Click around this interactive guide to choosing healthy materials for interior spaces.
We recommend you experience this guide on a desktop or laptop computer.
Designing with non-toxic materials
Confidential client offices, North America
BY JOHN DUGAN & VICKIE NICOLA
Indoor air pollution is five times higher than outside? Sometimes up to 100 times? North Americans spend 90% of our time indoors.
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CHEMICAL AVOIDANCE
Our designers review materials containing “Red List” chemicals. Red list chemicals pollute the environment, bio-accumulate and reach toxic concentrations in the food chain and harm construction and factory workers.
RECYCLED CONTENT
Designers source products with recycled content— and those that promote responsible extraction, manufacturing and transport.
Chemical Avoidance This upholstery is PVC free (PVC contains red list chemicals)
Explore healthy materials considerations in a lobby.
Recycled Content Recycled plastic
BIOPHILIA
Designers consider biophilia in order to better the health and overall well-being of clients by bringing them closer to nature. For example, a direct view to nature can increase heart-rate recovery from stress in an office environment 1.6 times faster than a simulated view or no view at all.
Biophilia View to the outdoors and daylight
Recycled Content 100% recycled steel
Recycled Content Door with recycled wood core
Recycled Content Recycled Gypsum Board and metal studs
Biophilia Natural shapes and forms
Explore healthy materials in a lobby.
Chemical Avoidance No harmful adhesives
Chemical Avoidance Toxic material in flooring can be a significant source of indoor air pollution.
Read more about healthy materials at Stantec.com
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REUSED, UPCYCLED OR REPURPOSED
Designers consider elements on the jobsite or in demolition that can be creatively reused to promote circular construction. Today, construction generates almost half of the world’s waste.
LOW / NO VOC
Designers avoid products releasing high amounts of vapors or gases with short and long-term adverse health effects. VOC concentrations are up to 10 times higher inside a building than outside.
MAINTENANCE
Designers select products that are easy to maintain and clean—and can be cleaned with non-toxic substances.
Reused, Upcycled, or Repurposed: Ceiling can be upcycled into soil amendment.
Low/No VOCs Carpet glue has no VOC.
Low/no VOCs Low VOC emitting ceiling material
Low/no VOCs No VOC paint on wall
Low/no VOCs Low VOC furniture materials
Maintenance No-wax flooring is easy to clean.
Low/no VOCs No VOC stain
Reused, Upcycled, or Repurposed Wood beam reclaimed from barn
Furniture Choose reused, upcycled or repurposed furniture.
Booth fabric Non-toxic finish on fabrics
Explore healthy materials in aN office.
READ MORE ABOUT healthy materials at Stantec.com
LIFE SPAN
Choose materials with longevity (timeless, durable and appropriate for use) to reduce building carbon footprint. Analyze for lifecycle—the material’s environmental impact over total lifespan.
RAPIDLY RENEWABLE
Select rapidly renewable materials to reduce the depletion of finite raw materials. Agricultural products harvested within a 10 year or shorter cycle include linseed, straw, cotton, natural rubber, bamboo and cork.
Forest Stewardship Council Wood from sustainably-managed forest
Rapidly Renewable Bio-based options
Forest Stewardship Council
Focus on wood products from sustainably managed forests. FSC sets the industry standards for responsible forest management.
Explore healthy materials in A reception.
Lifespan Long-lasting quality LEDs
Lifespan Durable and timeless material (stone, quartz)
Rapidly Renewable Linoleum flooring made from linseed oil, pine rosin, and ground cork dust
Rapidly Renewable Wool fabric
Forest Stewardship Council Wood from sustainably-managed forest.
read more about healthy materials at Stantec.com
LOCAL
Source local products and raw materials, and those that promote responsible extraction, manufacturing and transport
Recyclable Manufacturer has a take-back program.
NON-TROPICAL WOOD
Designers consider using non-tropical wood (wood not grown in a location that lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) because poor forestry practices have been destroying tropical rain forests.
Recyclable Flooring material can be recycled at the end of its life.
Non-Tropical Wood North America Pine wood beams
Recyclable Metal is 100% recyclable
Non-Tropical Wood North American Cherry conference room table
Local Artwork from local artist
Recyclable Plastic is recyclable at end of life.
Local Manufactured within 100 miles
Local Custom cabinetry fabricated in local shop
RECYCLABLE
Choosing recyclable materials
Explore healthy materials in a employee breakroom.
