Dark Hallways, Toxic Materials & Dead Offices — Why Most Buildings Still Ignore Human Health (and How Designers Can Fix It) – Episode 138 with Molly Polehna

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of interior design on human health and sustainability with designer Molly Polehna.

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with interior designer Molly Polehna of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting for a wide-ranging conversation about the powerful role interior design plays in human health, sustainability, and authentic building experiences. From her unexpected path into design through themed entertainment and storytelling, Molly shares how thoughtful interiors can shape the way we feel, behave, and connect within spaces. The discussion explores everything from daylighting and acoustics to material selection, biophilic design, and the hidden science behind occupant well-being. Molly also dives into regenerative hospitality, mass timber, adaptive reuse, and how collaboration between designers, architects, and engineers leads to healthier, more resilient buildings. It’s an inspiring look at how truly great spaces don’t just look beautiful — they serve people honestly, intuitively, and authentically. More About Molly Polehna Molly Polehna is a commercial interior designer at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting in Orlando, Florida, focused on regenerative design and the creation of immersive environments. With a…

People in this episode

Host: Joe Menchefski

Guest: Molly Polehna

Topics covered

• interior design
• human health
• sustainability
• biophilic design
• collaboration
• regenerative design

Keywords

• interior design
• human health
• sustainability
• biophilic design
• mass timber
• adaptive reuse
• occupant well-being

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

Places: Orlando, Florida

More episodes of Better Buildings For Humans

• Most Restaurants Are Designed Backwards — The Hidden Operational Mistakes Hurting Staff, Customers & Profits – Episode 141 with Ryan Mikita · June 10, 2026 · 40 min
• Retail Is Broken, Employees Are Miserable & Your Store Design Might Be Driving Customers Away — How Better Buildings Can Fix the Experience Crisis – Episode 140 with Brian Bucher · June 3, 2026 · 35 min
• Designing Hospitals That Actually Heal: What Architects Get Wrong About Healthcare - Episode 139 with Emily McGee · May 27, 2026 · 38 min
• Big Box, Bigger Problems – Why Retail Design Is Failing Humans (and the Radical Rethink Canadian Tire Is Betting On) – Episode 137 with Sarah Heppinstall · May 13, 2026 · 30 min
• Building Without Walls – Why Architecture’s Obsession with Control Is Killing Creativity (and How Nature Holds the Answer) - Episode 136 with Anne Romme · May 6, 2026 · 40 min
• Designing in the Dark – Why Modern Buildings Are Failing Our Biology (and What Norway Gets Right) - Episode 135 with Knut Knut Hjeltnes · April 29, 2026 · 46 min