10. Designing for Wellness: Building Biology Principles for Interior Designers

<p>Episode 10: Designing for Wellness: Building Biology Principles for Interior Designers</p><h2>Description:</h2><p>In this episode of <i>Design with Impact</i>, Alex sits down with <b>Jen Nickel</b>, founder of <b>Invision Design Solutions</b>, to explore the powerful intersection of interior design, building science, and human health through the lens of <b>building biology</b>.</p><p></p><p>Jen shares her journey into wellness-driven design, what building biology really means, and why interior designers have an important role to play in shaping healthier homes. Together, they dive into topics like indoor air quality, toxic off-gassing, moisture resilience, mold prevention, natural building materials, passive house design, and lighting strategies that support circadian rhythm.</p><p></p><p>They also unpack key takeaways from the Ontario Natural Building Conference, including circularity, deconstruction, innovative insulation materials, and how natural finishes like clay and lime plasters can improve indoor environments.</p><p></p><p>If you’re an interior designer ready to move beyond aesthetics and start designing homes that truly support long-term wellbeing, this episode is a must-listen.</p><hr /><h2>What You’ll Learn in This Episode:</h2><ul><li>What <b>building biology</b> is and why it matters in interior design</li><li>How interior design decisions directly impact human health and wellbeing</li><li>The importance of moisture resilience and how modern construction traps moisture</li><li>Key insights from the Ontario Natural Building Conference</li><li>How deconstruction helps divert demolition waste from landfills</li><li>Natural building materials like straw bale, hempcrete, rammed earth, and clay plasters</li><li>Why repairability is a major factor in sustainable design</li><li>Passive House basics and how high-performance building impacts health</li><li>Lighting strategies that support circadian rhythm and better sleep</li><li>Practical ways to maximize natural daylight in a space</li></ul><hr /><h2>Connect with Jen Nickel:</h2><p><b>Website: </b><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.invisiondesign.ca/" target="_blank"><b>https://www.invisiondesign.ca/</b></a></p><p><b>Instagram: </b><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/jen_nickel_invisiondesign/" target="_blank"><b>@jen_nickel_invisiondesign</b></a></p><p><b>LinkedIn: </b><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/invisiondesignsolutions/" target="_blank"><b>Invision Design Solutions</b></a></p><h2><b>Resources Mentioned:</b></h2><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.naturalbuildingcoalition.ca/" target="_blank">Ontario Natural Building Coalition</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shko.ca/" target="_blank">Stone House Kachelofen</a> – Jessica Steinhauser</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ouroborosdecon.com/" target="_blank">Ouroboros</a> (deconstruction and material reuse)</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.arcanarestoration.com/" target="_blank">Arcana Restoration Group</a> (historic masonry restoration)</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.beyondplasters.ca/" target="_blank">Beyond Plasters</a></li></ul><p></p><hr /><h2>Connect and continue the conversation:</h2><ul><li>Join our newsletter: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://alexshielddesign.myflodesk.com/pmy1xwvnoj" target="_blank">Newsletter Sign-up</a></li></ul><ul><li>Follow on Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/designwithimpact_/" target="_blank">@designwithimpact_</a></li><li>Share this episode with a fellow designer</li><li>Leave a review to help grow the movement<br /></li></ul>