Better Buildings For Humans

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Todd Thomas, founder of Woodchuck.ai, to reveal how AI is revolutionizing construction waste—and fueling a circular economy. Todd explains how Woodchuck uses smart dumpsters and computer vision to identify, sort, and transform tens of millions of tons of discarded wood into new materials, clean energy, and even hydrogen. From reducing landfill volume by 40% to creating zero-carbon biomass processing, Todd breaks down why sustainability doesn’t have to cost more—it can save money and extend landfill life. They also explore the future of mass timber, the promise of molten salt reactors, and the power of planning for circularity at the design stage. This conversation is a fascinating look at how technology can close the loop in building and demolition. More About Todd Thomas Todd Thomas is a recognized voice in AI, innovation and entrepreneurship, and is the best-selling author of Unleashing Abundant Energy. Todd has built his career harnessing emerging technologies to drive efficiencies and create new commercialization opportunities. Todd has an Economics degree from Claremont McKenna College, has studied Strategy Execution at the Harvard Business School, and has an MBA and a Masters in Economics from the WP Carey School of Business, ASU.Todd is the Founder & CEO of Woodchuck, a climate impact startup dedicated to transforming waste into valuable resources, reducing landfill usage, and unleashing an abundant energy future! CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-thomas-52021433/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-thomas-52021433/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/unleashing-abundant-energy/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/company/unleashing-abundant-energy/?viewAsMember=true] https://www.linkedin.com/company/woodchuckai/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/company/woodchuckai/?viewAsMember=true] 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 https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/ https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Stephen Parker, architect and mental health planner at Stantec, to explore the power—and responsibility—of trauma-informed design. Stephen shares how his personal and professional experiences have fueled his mission to create spaces that foster safety, dignity, and belonging for people in crisis. From veterans living with PTSD to individuals overcoming addiction, Stephen explains why the built environment is never neutral—and how even simple details like door placement, daylight, and acoustic privacy can make or break a healing experience. They also discuss cultural competency, the hidden triggers in institutional settings, and the crucial role of co-design with communities. This conversation is a masterclass in designing buildings that heal not just bodies, but hearts and minds. More About Stephen Parker Stephen Parker is a dedicated Mental + Behavioral Health Planner with significant healthcare projects across the US, Canada, China, Kenya, Australia and India. A Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Rising Star, Parker is a proponent of “architect as advocate” for colleague, client, and community alike, he believes strongly in leadership through service. Stephen has served a diverse client base, including the Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, helping develop the VA’s new Inpatient Mental Health Design Guide. An accomplished design researcher and pro bono community designer, Stephen is a Behavioral Health Business Future Leader, AIA AAH Best Healthcare Designer Under 40, ENR Top 20 Under 40 Young Professional, HCD Rising Star, HFSE George Pressler Under 40 Award recipient, and ULI Health Leader. Stephen championed the AIA Strategic Council’s Mental Health + Architecture during the pandemic and is a US representative to the International Union of Architects’ Public Health Group. He currently serves as Associate Director for the Design in Mental Health Network headquartered in England, Founding Member of the Center of Health Design’s Behavioral & Mental Health Environment Network, among other service leadership roles at organizations advocating for mental health environments from the Arctic to Australasia. CONTACT: https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephen [https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephenhttps://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospitalhttps://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experiencehttps://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unithttps://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilitieshttps://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker]  https://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/ [https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephenhttps://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospitalhttps://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experiencehttps://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unithttps://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilitieshttps://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker]  https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospital [https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephenhttps://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospitalhttps://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experiencehttps://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unithttps://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilitieshttps://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker] https://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experience [https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephenhttps://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospitalhttps://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experiencehttps://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unithttps://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilitieshttps://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker] https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unit [https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephenhttps://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospitalhttps://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experiencehttps://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unithttps://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilitieshttps://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker] https://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilities [https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephenhttps://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospitalhttps://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experiencehttps://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unithttps://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilitieshttps://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker] https://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker [https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephenhttps://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/2024-hcd-conference-preview-evolving-crisis-care-models-in-behavioral-health/67229/https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/s/southeast-psychiatric-treatment-center-norristown-state-hospitalhttps://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experiencehttps://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/w/womens-hospital-perinatal-mental-health-unithttps://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/returning-home-advancements-in-mental-health-design-for-u-s-veteran-facilitieshttps://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker] 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 https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/ https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Gena Arthur, founder of Pure Paint, to explore the future of healthy, sustainable coatings. Gena debunks the myth that natural paints sacrifice performance or style, revealing how Pure Paint’s petroleum-free formulas deliver stunning results—without the toxins. They dig into the hidden dangers of microplastics, the limitations of current green certifications, and the systemic barriers startups face when challenging industry norms. Gena also shares the emotional and regulatory rollercoaster of scaling a clean-tech company, including Pure Paint’s breakthrough retail partnership with Lowe’s USA. From UV resilience to real-world color matching, this episode is a deep dive into how healthy walls lead to healthier people—and a healthier planet. Discover why true innovation in building materials demands not just better products, but better systems. More About Gena Arthur Gena Arthur is the founder and CEO of Pure Paint Laboratories, a Canadian cleantech company leading the transformation of the architectural paint industry. Her company offers a high-performance, petroleum-free, plant-based paint that provides a toxin and microplastic-free alternative to conventional coatings. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to environmental health, product innovation, and eliminating microplastic pollution.  CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gena-arthur-04a8a3a/?originalSubdomain=ca  https://www.purepaintlab.com/en-us  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 https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/ https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski is joined by Olympian and building science researcher Donna Vakalis for a conversation that spans architecture, AI, athletics, and the climate crisis. Donna shares how her Olympic background fuels her passion for sustainable design and her current postdoc work at MILA—Canada’s leading AI institute—where she’s exploring how machine learning can optimize building performance. From smarter energy models and feed-forward HVAC systems to her role in the global coal phase-out and Racing to Zero, Donna illustrates the complex balance between comfort, carbon, and culture in the built environment. Together, Joe and Donna unpack whether AI is a hero or a hypocrite when it comes to sustainability—and what truly makes a building great. More About Donna Vakalis Donna is a postdoctoral researcher at Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, where she develops AI applications for building systems. Her work bridges advanced machine learning with real-world challenges in building operations and energy efficiency. With a PhD in civil engineering and extensive experience in construction and design, Donna brings a uniquely practical perspective to algorithm development. She's also a two-time Olympian (2012, 2016), and finds that the discipline and problem-solving skills from elite athletics often translate surprisingly well to her research work. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisdonna/?originalSubdomain=ca  ThisIsDonna.com  (http://thisisdonna.com/)  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 https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/ https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

In this illuminating episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes physicist and daylighting pioneer Marilyne Andersen for a conversation that sheds new light—literally—on how architecture affects our health, productivity, and sense of well-being. From the science of chronobiology to eye morphology and colored glazing, Marilyne explains how light exposure shapes everything from our mood to our sleep cycles. She shares insights from her groundbreaking research at EPFL and her work with the Daylight Academy, revealing why daylight may be more than a design feature—it might be a human right. Plus, discover how her new role at GESDA is helping bridge the gap between scientific discovery and societal impact. A must-listen for anyone designing spaces for real human needs. More About Marilyne Andersen: Marilyne Andersen is a Full Professor at EPFL and head of the LIPID lab since 2010, after 6 years at MIT as tenure-track professor. Since April 2025, she is also the Director General of the GESDA foundation (Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator), whose mission is to anticipate emerging scientific discoveries and translate them into concrete actions for the benefit of society by engaging proactively with policymakers and diplomats.  Physicist by training, she specializes in the psycho-physiological effects of (day)light with broader research interests on sustainability in the built environment. She has been Dean of ENAC at EPFL (2013-2018), Academic Director of the Smart Living Lab until 2024 and member of the Board of the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction (2015-2024). She was also Visiting Professor at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab in California and at SUTD in Singapore.  Author of over 250 refereed papers with several distinctions, she was the global Daylight Research Award's inaugural laureate in 2016 and led the winning Swiss team for the Solar Decathlon 2017 competition. At EPFL, she is currently Head of the SKIL for project-based learning and PI of the Swiss-wide SWICE consortium on the energy transition. She is also co-founder of the consulting startup OCULIGHT dynamics. In parallel, she has been actively engaged in bridging the gap between art and science, notably since 2021 as co-curator of the exhibition entitled Lighten Up! On Biology and Time and as author of the Circa Diem immersive installation and policy-oriented fiction Droit au Jour ; these works have been on display in diverse venues such as the Seoul Biennale, the EPFL Pavilions, the Gewerbemuseum Winterthur, the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (mudac) in Lausanne, and will be showcased at the MIT Museum in 2025-2026. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyne-andersen-b617aa1/ https://people.epfl.ch/marilyne.andersen  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 https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/ https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd