Highlights from the Inaugural IWBI Healthy Building Policy Summit
At the iAIR Institute, we are dedicated to advancing the conversation around healthy buildings, partnering with industry leaders, and driving change through innovative research. Our goal is to connect industries, advocate for healthier indoor environments, and bridge the gap between research and practical solutions. It was an honor for our Founder and Principal to be part of the inaugural International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., contributing to a dynamic panel discussion that addressed the future of indoor environmental quality.
The summit, hosted at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, brought together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss the role of building health in occupant well-being. The McCourt School’s LEED Platinum-certified building provided an ideal setting for these discussions, showcasing the importance of sustainability and innovation in design. As more attention is given to the air we breathe indoors, it’s clear that healthy buildings are not just a trend but a necessity.
The keynote speaker, Elliot Doomes of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), emphasized the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) across the GSA’s vast building portfolio. “We’re at a pivotal moment where technology and policy will move us toward best practice. […] We are going to continue to advocate for the health and wellbeing of the employees and people that we serve,” he said. His remarks set the stage for a series of insightful panel discussions that highlighted the need for updated policies that promote both occupant health and energy efficiency in the built environment.
One of the standout sessions, “The Future of Work: Designing for All,” tackled the growing demand for workspaces that prioritize human health. Panelists underscored the importance of embracing design strategies that go beyond aesthetics to actively support the well-being of building occupants. Kay Sargent of HOK noted that this is not just a competitive advantage but a moral imperative for designers and developers. With nearly a quarter of the population living with a disability, the need for inclusive design was also a key point raised by Dr. Amy Kenny, director of Georgetown University’s Disability Cultural Center.
As the summit progressed, a powerful theme emerged: the interconnectedness of planetary and human health. IWBI’s Executive Chairman, Rick Fedrizzi, called this the “second wave of sustainability,” where the focus has shifted from purely addressing environmental concerns like waste and toxins to also prioritizing human health. This idea was further explored in a panel on “Health + Sustainability,” where leaders from Trane and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy discussed the dangers of focusing on energy alone without considering IAQ.
Dr John McKeon, Founder of the iAIR Institute participated in the final panel, “The Future of Indoor Air & What Policymakers Need to Know,” alongside his colleague from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), Kenneth Mendez and experts Dr. Rebecca Katz, Dr. Linda Lee and Seema Bhangar. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for better indoor air regulations, with an urgent need for proactive, preventative health measures. Dr McKeon emphasized the importance of shifting from a reactive healthcare model to one that invests in prevention through building health initiatives.
As we reflect on the IWBI Healthy Building Policy Summit, it’s clear that the future of the built environment lies in prioritizing human health through better IAQ, smart technologies, and policy reforms. At the iAIR Institute, we remain committed to collaborating with the IWBI and other partners to drive these efforts forward, ensuring healthier, safer, and more sustainable buildings for all.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Rachel Hodgdon, Jason Hartke, and Whitney Austin Gray for hosting such an exceptional summit. The event provided a valuable platform for partnership, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas, and we left feeling energized by the opportunity to engage with forward-thinking leaders across industries.
It was also a pleasure to meet Congressman Paul D. Tonko and Anne Law, with whom we will soon be collaborating on a NIBS webinar titled “The Intersection of Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency,” taking place in October. We are excited to explore the ways in which IAQ and energy efficiency can work hand in hand to create healthier, more sustainable environments for all.
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