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Changing Tomorrow: Architecture, Equity, and Social Sustainability
Changing Tomorrow is the podcast for real estate developers, architects, workplace strategists, and corporate leaders whose decisions shape the built environment.
Each season tackles a critical, unresolved challenge at the intersection of sustainable design, commercial real estate, corporate strategy, and human performance. We look closely at the friction points where ESG goals and business objectives collide faster than the industry can agree on a path forward.
Through candid conversations with global practitioners, researchers, and cross-industry leaders, we test a fundamental question: can buildings, interior spaces, and organizations be intentionally designed to measurably improve human health, equity, and well-being?
Changing Tomorrow is powered by Liveable, an independent research and advisory organization setting a clearer standard for social value in the built environment. We work with real estate, workplace, and built environment leaders to understand how buildings, products, policies, and business strategies shape people’s lives. Through research, reporting, and strategic advisory, Liveable helps organizations assess human impact, communicate it clearly, and use it to make better decisions.
Changing Tomorrow: Architecture, Equity, and Social Sustainability
Designing Public Health: How Buildings Impact Our Well-being with Dr. Erika Eitland
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In this episode of Changing Tomorrow, Gayathri talks to Dr. Erika Eitland, a renowned expert in the intersection of public health and building design. With a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of how our environments shape us, Erika delves into the transformative power of well-designed spaces on our mental and physical well-being. She breaks down the science behind creating spaces that not only look good but feel good, serving as catalysts for organizational success and individual happiness. From the psychology of color to the importance of air quality, she provides actionable insights that you can implement right away.
About Our Guest: Dr. Erika Eitland
Dr. Erika Eitland, MPH, ScD, is the Director of the Human Experience Lab at Perkins&Will. With a focus on the public health impact of K-12 schools, affordable housing, and urban planning, Dr. Eitland is a leading voice in the field. She holds a doctorate from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and a Master of Public Health from Columbia University. She has presented her research globally and advises on national policy for the U.S. EPA.
Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction
[05:00] Dr. Erika Eitland's Journey
[10:00] The Role of Design in Public Health
[20:00] Case Study: The Carter School
[30:00] Proceed: A Public Health Data Tool
[40:00] Advice for Young Designers
[50:00] What Gives Dr. Eitland Hope
[53:00] Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The Importance of Health-Centric Design: Dr. Erika Eitland emphasizes the need for designers to incorporate public health data into their projects. She suggests tools that can help.
- Championing Inclusive Spaces: Dr. Eitland discusses a case study that illustrates the power of design in catering to diverse health needs. She urges professionals to advocate for such inclusivity.
- The Value of Community Input: According to Dr. Eitland, community engagement is crucial for understanding unique health challenges. She recommends this approach for anyone involved in urban planning or policy.
- Investment in Research Pays Off: Dr. Eitland shares how initial investments in health-related research can yield long-term benefits, both socially and financially.
- The Power of Collaboration: Dr. Eitland stresses the importance of finding like-minded individuals to collaborate with, stating that no one can make a significant impact alone.
- Urgency for Action: Dr. Eitland encourages professionals to start making even small changes now, emphasizing that there's no time to waste when public health is at stake.
Podcast Article and Reading List can be found here
Connect with Dr. Erika Eitland
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikasitaeitland/
Inhabit podcast:https://inhabit.perkinswill.com/
Connect with Gayathri
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayathri-ukrishnan/
Liveable website: https://makeitliveable.com/
This podcast is proudly brought to you by Liveable, an independent social sustainability organization based in California.
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