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indoor air quality

indoor air quality

Never Touched a Cigarette? Your Lungs May Show Otherwise!

Air Quality Awareness

Part 3: Can Material Selection Reduce Hazards To Occupants?⁠

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matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Dec 2

What is Regenerative Design? ⁠
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Projects that strive toward "net-zero''-using no more resources than they can produce. For example, net-zero energy projects use no more energy from the grid than they generate on-site. These projects may be connected to the grid, drawing electricity from it at night and contributing energy from onsite renewable energy systems during the day, such that their total energy cost is zero. ⁠
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Other projects strive for carbon neutrality, emitting no more carbon emissions than they can either sequester or offset. Still, other projects are designed to achieve a more even water balance: they use no more water than that which falls on-site as precipitation, or they produce zero waste by recycling, reusing, or composting all materials. Not all projects can achieve those levels of performance. Nevertheless, on average, green buildings save energy, use less water, generate less waste, and provide more healthful, more comfortable indoor environments. A good example of regenerative design is the Vandusen Botanical Garden and Visitor Centre located in Vancouver, BC Canada.⁠
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Contact us for more information on how to improve your space. Advancing human health and sustainability through better buildings through green building certifications.⁠
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Photos: Nic Lehoux / Courtesy: Perkins+Will

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 30

Did you know?⁠
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Physical inactivity and sedentariness have emerged as a primary focus of public health in recent years, due to the host of negative health implications associated with both behaviors. Strategies that promote stair use and general movement throughout buildings have emerged as promising interventions that encourage short bouts of⁠
health-enhancing physical activity throughout the day.⁠
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Evidence from systematic reviews (including international data from a variety of settings, such as airports, healthcare facilities, universities and offices) suggests that stairwell enhancements and signage increase stair use. In particular, point-of-decision design prompts that include directional signage and motivational messaging have⁠
been shown to be effective at increasing stair use. Evidence suggests that improving aesthetic and atmosphere with design, music and artwork, as well as tailoring motivational signage and prompts to the audience or population the space serves, may help increase intervention effectiveness. ⁠
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For more information on how to encourage stair use through aesthetic design, contact us at info@matthewsdesigngroup.ca

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 28

Poor lighting is not ideal for tasks and can add to other issues that come with age. The age of the individual is a factor in the amount of light required for visual acuity. ⁠
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As humans age, the transmission of light through their lenses is reduced. This is due to age-related changes, including increased light absorption by the lenses, smaller pupil size, increased scattering of light due to thicker lenses and yellowing of the lenses. This aging of the eye indicates that an increase in light levels is required to ensure visual acuity. Light levels in a space can enhance the user’s ability to perform tasks in that space while contributing to the feeling of spaciousness. ⁠
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While developing a lighting strategy to accommodate the visual acuity of users, it is critical to take into account the types of tasks being conducted, as well as the age of the users. Projects may refer to published recommendations by lighting associations or authorities on using electric lighting design strategies for light levels required on the work plane. Visual lighting design is an optimization that can be achieved when designing to the of the WELL Certification AP Standard. Check out this article for more info: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26375320/

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 25

According to US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, mental health is the top issue facing the country, and employers should play a key role in providing a solution: ⁠
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“Leaders must prioritize mental health in the workplace by addressing structural barriers to seeking help and decreasing stigma…”Issuing a report on the topic, Vivek’s office said rates of stress and burnout have reached all-time highs among the nation’s workforce. ⁠
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⚠️76% of US workers reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition.⁠
⚠️84% of employees said work-related factors negatively affected their mental health.⁠
⚠️Poor worker mental health costs the US economy $48B annually in lost productivity. ⁠
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In addition to improving public health, the report cites organizational performance as a motivating factor — with happier and more engaged workers leading to 23% higher profits. ⁠
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If you would like to learn more about this topic, check out the full blog: https://insider.fitt.co/issue-no-208-work-life-wellness/

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 23

Did you know?⁠
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Nearly a quarter of the global population fails to achieve physical activity guidelines and is considered physically inactive. Key determinants of physical activity behavior include time, convenience and motivation. In a review conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two studies highlighted economic benefits of workplace programs, including reduced healthcare costs, decreased costs and days lost due to disability, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.⁠
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Workplace wellness programs and offerings are considered great steps toward decreasing barriers to physical activity engagement among employees. The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends worksite programs that make physical activity more readily available (e.g., providing health club memberships, changing insurance benefits, providing opportunities to be physically active) as a strategy to improve physical activity engagement. ⁠
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Let us know if you would like to learn more!

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 21

Designing buildings with "green" elements is not only beneficial for human health and wellness but also good for our planet. 🌏 ⁠
Comparatively, sustainable housing is not only better for the environment; the operating costs are lower. The combination of sustainable and affordable buildings will last a long time with lower utility bills and also contribute to the physical and mental health of residents.⁠
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BC has committed to mandating a net-zero energy-ready standard for new buildings by 2032.
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If you're interested in learning more about how to implement Green Building standards or BC’s net-zero mandate, contact us at info@matthewsdesigngroup.ca⁠
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matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 18

We all have a sweet tooth at one point or another but sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in overindulging in unhealthy treats such as cookies, cake, frappuccinos etc. Sugar consumption especially added sugar, has been associated with poor diet quality, and an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, and tooth decay. Refining grains removes most of their vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. ⁠
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Our bodies need an adequate amount of dietary fiber as it has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity and is associated with improved digestive health. By increasing the availability of healthier alternatives, and limiting the availability of highly processed foods there can be significantly fewer health problems otherwise brought on by refined ingredients. ⁠
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Reducing refined ingredients is an optimization of the WELL AP Standard: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(19)30041-8/fulltext⁠
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Contact us for more information!

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 16

Did you know?⁠
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Incorporating natural elements into buildings can support occupant relief from stress and mental fatigue, as well as establish a sense of place. The benefits of nature access can be achieved through numerous pathways. The incorporation of plants in the work environment is linked with improved employee morale, job satisfaction, objective and subjective measures of productivity, and decreased absenteeism.⁠
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Humans are increasingly living in environments where they have insufficient exposure to nature. Natural elements, such as plants and daylight, have been linked with health-promoting benefits, including decreased levels of depression and anxiety, increased attentional capacity, better recovery from job stress and illness, increased pain tolerance, and increased psychological well-being.⁠
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Contact us for more information on how you can incorporate nature into your design.

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 14

Say hi to the newest member of our team, Tonnette de Vera! She is our team's Relationship Manager. ⁠
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Our relationships in business, and personally, are the foundations of our experiences and successes in life. Tonnette, as the Relationship Manager with MDG, creates the necessary building blocks for that solid working foundation within our team, and with our clients - present and future. ⁠
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We are excited to have Tonnette on board with us!

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 11

On Remembrance Day we honour those who gave their lives to serve our country.⁠
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Lest we forget. ❤️

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 9

Did you know?⁠
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In learning environments, reverberation can impair a listener’s comprehension of speech due to poor speech intelligibility, especially when listeners are hard of hearing, expending a greater auditory workload to process speech resulting in reduced task performance. Increases in reverberation are commonly caused by a lack of acoustical absorption.⁠
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Providing acoustical treatment that significantly reduces sound across human speech frequencies can greatly reduce unwanted buildup of reflected sound. Ceilings typically provide the greatest area of coverage where highly absorptive materials can offer the best performance in reducing reverberation and controlling speech intelligibility and occupied noise levels.⁠
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For more information on how to implement sound-reducing surfaces and design spaces to minimize the buildup of unwanted sound, contact us at info@matthewsdesigngroup.ca

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 7

Most of us (particularly Canadians) began our Daylight Savings time yesterday, which commonly triggers disruption to the internal clock in our bodies - the circadian rhythm.⁠
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This is a built-in process that regulates sleep, hunger, and energy levels in our bodies. The amount of light we consume is a big factor in this process which depicts our sleep-wake cycle. For some of us moving the clock back and forth makes us feel 'off’.⁠
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Some ways of re-regulating your circadian rhythm include:⁠
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🤍Going on short wellness walks to benefit from natural daylight.⁠
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🤍Make sure that lights are kept low and warm in the evenings.⁠
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🤍Investing in blackout shades and eye masks to prevent the melatonin-inhibiting blue wavelengths of light from disrupting sleep.⁠
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Be sure to check out our blog post (link in bio) for more information.⁠
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#circadianrhythm #occupanthealth #wellcertified #fitwell #greenhomes #greenliving #greentrends #healthybuildings #sustainabledesigns #wellbuildinginstitute #kelownainteriordesign #wellness #health #interiordesign #westkelownainteriordesign #kelowna #okanagan #kelownanow #canada #kelownaliving #kelownabc #okanaganlife #okanaganlifestyle #ylw #westkelowna #britishcolumbia #okanaganliving #explorekelowna #okanaganvalley

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 4

Now more than ever, our homes have become more than just a home for many of us. We now use this space for work, learning, exercise, and maybe even meditation.⁠
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According to recent green building standards, elements that contribute to Healthy Building Interior Design include:⁠
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☀️ Increasing access to natural light to improve sleep, mood, and more.⁠
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🌿 Bringing in natural elements into the space to decrease levels of depression and anxiety.⁠
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☁️ Implementing proper air ventilation to improve symptoms of respiratory illness and improve cognitive health.⁠
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Matthews Design Group is proud to be part of the global movement to transform our buildings and communities in ways that help people thrive. For more information on Healthy Building Certifications visit our website - link is in our bio! 🤍

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Nov 2

Did you know?⁠
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The thermal environment substantially impacts a building's energy footprint, since in many countries heating and cooling account for approximately half of a building’s energy consumption. Overly warm or cold indoor spaces are linked to increases in sick-building syndrome symptoms, musculoskeletal issues, respiratory issues, fatigue, and negative mood.⁠
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The thermal comfort model correlates human comfort directly with indoor operative temperature and outdoor temperature. Achieving thermal satisfaction among people requires some level of control over thermal comfort parameters in any given environment. According to the WELL Building standards, mechanically conditioned regularly occupied spaces should meet thermal comfort requirements.

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Oct 31

Never Touched a Cigarette? Your Lungs May Show Otherwise! ⁠
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Indoor air quality (IAQ) has never been more important than it is right now when it comes to the health, well-being, and productivity of your employees, tenants, or clients. A concerning report earlier this month warned that the air quality in parts of the lower mainland is currently equal to smoking five cigarettes a day. This is alarming! Elana Shepert writes “Metro Vancouver has extended an air advisory for the Lower Mainland in the wake of poor conditions caused by wildfire smoke” So what can be done?⁠
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IAQ can be a complex topic, and it’s likely that at one point or another, you’ve found yourself overwhelmed with questions. The first step is educating yourself on the issue. In today’s blog, we summarize the different types of air pollutants you should be aware of and provide suggestions for optimal air health. Click here to read more: https://matthewsdesigngroup.ca/articles/never-touched-a-cigarette-your-lungs-may-show-otherwise/⁠
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Link is in our bio!

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Oct 28

Happy Friday everyone!⁠
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Most of us have likely spent the majority of our time indoors this week, however, it is important that we spend some time outdoors as well. ⁠
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Lacking access to the outdoors can leave you feeling drained and tired. We want to mitigate these negative health impacts so that we can live healthier, well-balanced lives. Let's strive to decrease the amount of time we spend indoors as there are many associated benefits of the outdoors:⁠
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🍃Natural environments can boost your physical and mental energy by nearly 40 percent⁠
🍃Lower levels of anxiety and depression, as well as improved mental recovery from stress and fatigue⁠
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Grab a friend or loved one and explore the outdoors for physical and mental well-being! ❤⁠

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Oct 26

Did you know?⁠
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Inhalation exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to a variety of negative short and long-term health and well-being outcomes that can vary in severity. Severe health outcomes can include asthma attacks, infection with Legionella bacteria and carbon monoxide poisoning.⁠
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Although indoor air quality can be managed primarily through eliminating the sources of air pollution, installation of sensors or monitors that meet RESET Air standards drastically minimizes air pollution. Better air quality can reduce disease transmission by⁠ 75%. ⁠
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Providing a basic level of indoor air quality should be a necessity not an option. For more information on how you can monitor your indoor air quality contact us at info@matthewsdesigngroup.ca

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Oct 24

Simple Solutions to Improve Your Indoors⁠
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In recent years, we have begun to give air quality elevated importance as discoveries about the health risks of inadequate air have risen. From this knowledge, a new significance with regard to improving and maintaining physical and mental health has emerged. So what are designers suggesting on this topic? How can we improve our environment and indoor air quality to better suit our health?⁠
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An article by Architect Magazine highlights design strategies that utilize plants and living walls to optimize indoor air quality. Did you know that indoor vegetation can decrease pollutants in the air, provide oxygen, and ultimately cleaner indoor air? Not only are plants beautiful to look at, but they also do wonders for our general well-being. If you want to go one step further, utilize living walls. Check out our most recent blog for more information: https://matthewsdesigngroup.ca/articles/air-quality-awareness/⁠
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Link is in our bio! 💚

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Oct 21

Is our built environment age-inclusive? How can design promote longevity?⁠
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An article by Gensler sheds light on senior homes and how traditional models of nursing homes, assisted living, and retirement communities are shifting and blending to better suit the full spectrum of residents while catering to their specific needs at all stages of life.⁠
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The article mentions that design plays an important role in keeping older adults safe, connected, and engaged in their community. They provide the following five strategies for reimagining longevity in an age-inclusive world:⁠
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1. Reconnect with nature⁠
2. Redefine public and private spaces⁠
3. Embrace technology⁠
4. Encourage a diversity of spaces to promote wellness⁠
5. Eliminate ageism⁠
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For more information on this article, click here: https://www.gensler.com/blog/rethinking-longevity-in-an-age-inclusive-world

matthewsdesigngroupinc

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Oct 19

Did you know?⁠
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Exposure to tobacco smoke has continued to detrimentally affect the health of both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. Ingredients in cigarettes form over 7,000 compounds when burned, of which at least 69 are known to be carcinogenic. Secondhand smoke exposes nonsmokers to the same contaminants, increasing the number of people subject to health risks from smoking.⁠
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There is no safe and acceptable level of cigarette smoke exposure. Therefore, the only way to protect people from secondhand and thirdhand smoke is to implement a 100% smoke-free environment. In order to prevent the intrusion of cigarette smoke from the outdoors, projects must also take steps to ensure that smoking is not allowed in the vicinity of building entrances, operable windows, and building air intakes.⁠
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By providing a smoke-free environment, occupant exposure to secondhand smoke can be minimized.

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