Better Buildings For Humans

About Better Buildings For Humans

Welcome to the BBFH podcast. More often than not, when we think about health and wellness, our thoughts turn to diet and exercise. However, most of us spend two-thirds or more of our day inside buildings. The quality of the environment in those buildings has been proven to have a dramatic impact on our well being and our productivity, both at work and at home. There is little discussion about this in the mainstream media. It’s time to start a public dialogue about how we are affected by the buildings where we live, work and play. Thanks for listening! https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/

Publisher

BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Aug 2023

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

161 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   The Best Architects Don't Start With Buildings — They Start With People — Episode 160 with Mark Loudermilk

   In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Mark Loudermilk of Mark Loudermilk Architecture for a fascinating conversation about why great architecture begins with understanding people rather than simply designing beautiful buildings. With more than three decades of experience across workplaces, healthcare facilities, churches, fire stations, and residential projects, Mark shares how his approach to architecture has evolved—and why listening, trust, and relationships have become just as important to his work as the buildings themselves. The conversation explores what it really means to put people at the centre of the design process. Joe and Mark discuss why successful architecture isn't always about following trends, creating impressive photographs, or imposing a particular design vision. Instead, they examine how understanding the people who will occupy a space can lead to environments that feel more comfortable, functional, and meaningful. From designing around tight budgets to balancing aesthetics with everyday needs, Mark offers a refreshing perspective on what makes a project successful. They also dig into the relationship between daylight, building orientation, and human well-being, exploring how seemingly simple decisions can dramatically influence the experience of a space. Mark shares examples from his work, including a dental office designed around natural light and a workplace renovation that draws inspiration from the owner's connection to the water. Along the way, the conversation turns to the changing role of technology in architecture, from traditional hand sketching to digital modelling and artificial intelligence—and whether these tools are bringing designers closer to the people they serve or pushing them further away. Ultimately, the episode challenges the idea that great architecture can be measured by appearance alone. Mark shares a thoughtful perspective on the qualities that make buildings welcoming, supportive, and connected to their communities. It's a conversation about creativity, trust, technology, and the responsibility architects have to create places where people don't just function, but genuinely thrive. More About Mark Loudermilk Mark earned his professional degree from the University of Tennessee '94 and has since been passionately creating spaces which give meaning to their residents. He is licensed as an architect in FL, GA, NC, SC, AL, TN, and VA. Mark loves his family, music, writing, downtown Wilmington, the region's glorious beaches, and the slow, meandering, mighty Cape Fear River. He is an avid guitarist. He and his wife Sandie are continually planning and taking road trips to explore the beauty and diversity of the U.S. landscape. Mark is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization Welcome Home Angel. CONTACT: https://www.loudermilkarch.com/ (https://www.loudermilkarch.com/) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087051801767 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087051801767) https://www.linkedin.com/company/71561445/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/71561445/) https://www.instagram.com/markloudermilkarchitecture (https://www.instagram.com/markloudermilkarchitecture) Where To Find Us: https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/ www.advancedglazings.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast www.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625 https://twitter.com/bbfhpod

2. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Your Building Might Look Beautiful — But Does It Actually Make You Feel Good? — Episode 159 with Eliza Engle

   In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect Eliza Engle of MTFA Architecture for a fascinating conversation about how the spaces we inhabit influence our comfort, emotions, and overall well-being. With a background in sociology, mental health, and sustainable architecture, Eliza brings a uniquely human perspective to design—one that looks beyond aesthetics to consider how buildings make people feel and how thoughtful design can support healthier, more comfortable everyday experiences. The conversation explores the connection between architecture and emotional well-being, including how temperature, acoustics, lighting, materials, and colour can influence our experience of a space. Joe and Eliza discuss why some environments leave us feeling stressed or uncomfortable while others create an almost immediate sense of calm. They also examine the importance of designing for different human needs and why the smallest details can sometimes have the greatest impact on how people experience a building. Joe and Eliza also dig into trauma-informed design, exploring Eliza's work on a juvenile and domestic relations courtroom designed to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for people navigating difficult circumstances. From softer materials and calming colours to acoustics, daylight, and thoughtfully designed spaces for children, the project raises interesting questions about how architecture can change the experience of traditionally intimidating environments. Along the way, they discuss sustainable materials, healthy building practices, and the subtle design decisions that can make a space feel truly special. Ultimately, the episode challenges the idea that great architecture is defined primarily by appearance. Eliza shares her perspective on creating spaces that respond to people's needs, including those they may not even know how to articulate. It's a conversation about comfort, empathy, sustainability, and the often-invisible qualities that turn an ordinary building into a place people genuinely enjoy being in. More About Eliza Engle Eliza brings her light and a smile to all her projects, along with her over 25 years of experience in a wide variety of project types and clients. She enjoys taking projects from inception (interview) to fruition (construction administration)—learning and teaching along the way. Managing various architectural project types for government, institutional, and commercial clients—and providing personalized client services to meet and exceed their needs—is her idea of fun. She works collaboratively with clients, consultants, and colleagues to design solutions to architectural problems while creating high-performing, healthy, and sustainable environments to work, play, and grow; she creates communities of the future one project at a time. Eliza serves as the Political Action Committee trustee chair for AIA Virginia. Eliza lives in Del Ray with her architect husband and very artistic son, volunteering with the Boy Scout troop. When there is time, she likes training for Aqua Bikes, baking, and making mosaics. CONTACT: https://www.mtfa.net/eliza-engle (https://www.mtfa.net/eliza-engle) https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-beth-engle-aia-ncidq-aa884a8/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-beth-engle-aia-ncidq-aa884a8/) https://www.instagram.com/mtfa_architecture/ (https://www.instagram.com/mtfa_architecture/) linkedin.com/company/mtfa-architecture/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true (http://linkedin.com/company/mtfa-architecture/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true) https://www.facebook.com/MTFAArchitecture (https://www.facebook.com/MTFAArchitecture) Where To Find Us: https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/ www.advancedglazings.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast www.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625 https://twitter.com/bbfhpod

3. 

   14 Oct 2026

   We Keep Tearing Out Perfectly Good Buildings — And Calling It Progress — Episode 158 with Lona Rerick and Jesce Walz

   In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Lona Rerick and Jesce Walz of Perkins&Will to explore regenerative design, circularity, and rethinking buildings and materials as valuable resources rather than disposable products. The conversation examines the shift away from construction’s traditional take-make-waste model, why usable materials are discarded during renovations, and the environmental impacts of interior fit-outs. They discuss the cultural and economic barriers to reuse and what it takes to challenge the preference for new materials. Drawing on Perkins&Will’s Circular Design Primer for Interiors, the discussion explores material longevity, creative reuse, deconstruction, refurbishment, bio-based materials, and designing for disassembly. It also highlights opportunities for architects, contractors, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs in a circular building economy. Ultimately, this episode challenges how we define waste and value, encouraging designers to see existing materials as opportunities and create buildings that benefit people, communities, and the environment long into the future. More About Lona Rerick and Jesce Walz Lona Rerick Lona Rerick is an Architect and Firmwide Director of Regenerative Design Materials at Perkins&Will. She leads the firm's efforts to select responsible materials supporting human health, climate health, ecosystem health, and social equity within a circular economy. Lona guides teams through material research, supply chains, and specifications while advocating for industry transformation. She serves on the mindful MATERIALS Board, the Living Future Material Health TAG, and co-leads the Portland Materials Transparency Collaborative. She also helped establish the AIA Materials Pledge and its reporting framework. Jesce Walz Jesce Walz is a Senior Research Lead at Perkins&Will, specializing in regenerative design, circular economy, and bio-based materials. With a background in architecture and landscape architecture, she collaborates with leading organizations advancing sustainable building practices. Within Perkins&Will's Research and Development Group, Jesce leads initiatives supporting ecologically responsible design. She authored the firm's Circular Design Primer for Interiors, led its embodied carbon benchmarking research, and co-authored publications on mass timber, embodied carbon, and innovative bio-based materials. CONTACT: https://perkinswill.com/ (https://perkinswill.com/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/lona-rerick/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lona-rerick/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesce/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesce/) https://linktr.ee/jmwalz (https://linktr.ee/jmwalz) Where To Find Us: https://bbfhpod.com (https://bbfhpod.com) https://www.advancedglazings.com/ (https://www.advancedglazings.com/) https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast (https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast) https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-glazings-ltd (https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-glazings-ltd) https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/ (https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/) https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd (https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd) https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd (https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd)

Who has been a guest on Better Buildings For Humans

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Gena Arthur
• Donna Vakalis
• Marilyne Andersen
• Bryan Eagle
• Sandra Dedesko

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

28 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 63 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

95

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact Better Buildings For Humans

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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