SAMUEL BRIGHOUSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PHOTO CREDIT: NIC LEHOUX
Dr. Graham Lowe on the connection between wood and well-being
This special episode of the Construction Record podcast looks at wood construction in the context of the wellness of those occupying buildings. While attention has been focused on the advances in wood technology allowing for larger, taller, and more complicated structures, less is known about the psychological and physiological benefits of living in wood-based structures.
University of Alberta professor emeritus and Graham Lowe Group president Graham Lowe discusses his report “Wood, Well-being and Performance: The Human and Organizational Benefits of Wood Buildings,” which summarizes the health impacts of using wood and natural materials in buildings. Amongst Lowe’s findings were that biophilic design, characterized by abundant sunlight, views to nature and incorporation of natural materials can lead to lower blood pressure, improved performance and a reduction in absenteeism.
Lowe also found mass timber construction benefitted those working on projects thanks to reduced construction time and safer, cleaner building sites.
