Health and wellbeing in building services (TM40)

Julie Godefroy

• Publisher: The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781912034505
• eBook ISBN: 9781912034512
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Construction & Architectural Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

The past decade has witnessed an exponential growth in the built environment industry's focus on tackling health and wellbeing objectives. This is due to business imperatives (e.g. business case for increasing productivity in the workplace) but also wider societal challenges, including climate change, air pollution, and ageing populations. It is now obvious to many that the health of our planet and the wellbeing of our species are inextricably linked. At the same time, buildings cannot be designed uniquely for the pursuit of environmental sustainability objectives, if this results in discomfort or ill health for occupants. In fact, in addition to helping to avoid health risks, buildings should also foster wellbeing.It is interesting to note that the previous version of this Technical Memorandum, published in 2006, was entitled Health issues in building services. The alignment (and at times the conflicts) between the health and sustainability agendas, alongside the need to conceptualise and deliver wellbeing in a broader and more positive sense, are perhaps amongst the most notable changes in the field since the previous edition of TM40. The broadening of thescope of health and wellbeing, coupled with advances in knowledge and technology, also mean that a lot more information and evidence is now available. It is thus commendable how this TM does not shy away from capturing the enormous amount of knowledge relevant to this field, whilst also striving for a non-reductionist approach.At heart, engineers like tackling complex challenges, of which this field presents many: this TM offers precious guidance within a hard-to-navigate field. But perhaps the bigger and longer-lasting legacies of this publication are twofold. Firstly, putting operational performance at the heart of design decisions. Secondly, empowering engineers in assuming a more proactive and comprehensive approach to fostering health and wellbeing in buildings. It does so by tackling the diverse spheres of influence which building services engineers can have within the field of health and wellbeing, whilst also providing opportunities for broad understanding of wider issues, and arguing for collaboration across disciplines.A final reflection is needed about this field, with respect to the ever expanding advances in 'smart' technology. These provide opportunities for performance optimisation which are very appealing in the context of health and wellbeing. But it is important to remember that when it comes to individuals or groups of people, there is no 'one size fits all' for health and wellbeing. Furthermore, in light of the many knowledge gaps still existing in this field, and in anticipation of climatic changes ahead, engineers would be wise to exploit these smart technologies with an aim to deliver adaptable and robust design strategies.

Table of contents

• TM40 front cover (v4).pdf
• TM40 (screen).pdf