Clean Air for Good Health

Anthony Bernheim, FAIA, LEED® AP, HDR Architects

The air in buildings, and particularly in laboratories, has a major effect on building occupant health and the procedures that are undertaken in the laboratories. There are now direct links, as evidenced in the research and science, connecting airborne chemicals to human health. This presentation will give a brief introduction to the health impacts of poor air quality and the major factors affecting air quality. A brief introduction will be given to sustainable building practices focused on laboratory and nanotechnology facilities, with an in-depth discussion on the building design, construction, and operational principals for good indoor air quality and improved building occupant health.

Ventilation control, source control (with special emphasis on material and furniture volatile organic compound emissions and concentrations), building commissioning, and green building maintenance will be discussed. Once the principles are presented, there will be a focus on green material certifications and their relevance (or lack thereof) to good indoor air quality.

Green building rating systems including the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and Labs21 provide guidance and minimum standards for good indoor air quality. This presentation will go beyond these rating systems to give the most recent science- and practice-based information and tools. Integrated design principles will be illustrated using current laboratory and nanotechnology facilities.

Biography:

Anthony Bernheim, FAIA, LEED® AP, is a principal for HDR Architecture's Sustainable Design Solutions team and currently serves as a member-at-large for the National USGBC Board of Directors. From 2003 to 2007, he served on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Chapter of the USGBC. With over 30 years of experience as an architect, with unique expertise in integrating sustainable, green, and high-performance building techniques and methodologies, and a focus on indoor air quality and building occupant health, Mr. Bernheim is a pioneer and skilled leader in sustainability. He has provided consultative direction on large and complex projects, collaborating effectively with designers, builders, regulatory agencies, and clients in both public and private sectors. Mr. Bernheim is also a dynamic presenter, adept at conveying complex information and large team collaboration to facilitate communication and understanding between scientific, research, architectural, and non-technical audiences.

In 2004, Mr. Bernheim received the American Institute of Architects California Council's Nathaniel A. Owings Award in "recognition of a lifetime of service, commitment, and advocacy for the principles of sustainable design and preserving the earth's natural resources." His major projects include the Capitol Area East End Complex Block 225 (USGBC LEED® Gold), the San Francisco Main Library, and the La Jolla Consolidation Project for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Southwest Fisheries Science Center. He holds a Master of Architecture from University of California at Berkeley.

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