Materials are the crux of the problem. They are also the key to the solution.

Martha Lewis, Senior Architect, Head of Materials at Henning Larsen Architects, Denmark

Butterbird located in Watertown, MA; was sustainably sourced with HempWood Panels where the Decoder identified that no PVCs, phthalates or fire retardants were used. In addition, EPDs were referenced to research this product’s LCA – see the ecosystem and circular economy section of the Decoder and Legend below for further explanation. 

At PCA one of our most critical and professional affinity groups is the Healthy Materials Team, part of the Sustainability Group. Over the past three years this team, consisting of DiAnn Tufts, Director of Sustainability, LFA, CPHC, LEED AP BD+C;  Michelle Granick AIA LEED AP, Architect; Lindsay Bach NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, Interior Designer; Matt Miller, Designer, and our valued partner, Carrie Havey LEED Fellow, SITES AP, Fitwel Amb, Principal with The Green Engineer, have developed a comprehensive tool to help with selecting and specifying sustainable and healthy materials on design projects – The Materials Label Decoder.

What is The Materials Label Decoder?

The Decoder provides an effective way to accomplish sustainability goals by helping you, as a design professional, contractor or owner to carefully select the “right” materials and products. Every day, project teams work to specify materials that perform optimally for human health, energy, carbon, and environmental impact. In addition, several AEC industry-wide research groups have devised guidelines and regulations to further advance the policy of specifying sustainable products and materials i.e., the AIA Materials Pledge, The Six Classes, and the Common Materials Framework, as part of the design process. However, how do you determine which attributes and labels to prioritize when selecting products and materials for your projects? It is important that design professionals know what each materials label can tell them, how multiple products and materials relate to each other, and how they can be implemented collectively to meet sustainable materials goals on projects.

Using the Materials Label Decoder for Better Outcomes

Recently, Lindsay was working on a project Interiors Materials Finish Schedule where there is a specific field for tracking products that are Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) that needs to meet CDPH Standards. This routine task includes studying what is needed, reviewing all the options and selecting the products and materials to be captured on the project’s Finish Schedule to communicate with the client and the extended design team on what is to be used throughout the project – ensuring sustainable goals are met. As part of her designer toolbox, the Materials Label Decoder helped with the itemization and reviewing of all the required certifications to meet standards and allowed Lindsay to quickly recognize and select which materials were Low VOC. The Decoder streamlines the process of correlating, analyzing and selecting healthy materials and products, and EMPOWERS team members to perform their jobs more effectively and efficiently.

Continued Healthy Materials Advocacy and Education

As PCA continues to learn and move forward to advance specifying healthy materials and products, the Healthy Materials Team sees this as an opportunity to engage clients, extended project team members, and additional design collaborators to create buildings and spaces for healthier living.

We all can contribute in the creation of non-toxic environments by selecting safer sustainable alternatives. In fact, join us as members of BE+ where we consistently participate in conversations, programs, and events year-round advocating for this cause. Or you can contact anyone on the Green Leaders Team.

Legend:

Health Product Declaration (HPD) =  a standardized report that discloses the ingredients and potential health risks of a product.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) = a process that evaluates the environmental impact of a product or service from its inception to its end use.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) = a way for manufacturers to take comprehensive, third party-verified LCAs and turn them into standardized declaration labels for their products.

Published in Innovation, Sustainability, Design