The Sustainability Illusion: Why “Green Design” Is Failing People—and What Actually Works – Ep 130 with Jenny Heim
About this episode
The episode discusses the intersection of sustainability and human well-being in building design with guest Jenny Heim.
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Jenny Heim, Sustainable Design Leader at McMillan Pazdan Smith, to explore how truly high-performance buildings emerge at the intersection of environmental responsibility and human well-being. From her early inspiration shaped by European architecture to leading firm-wide sustainability strategies, Jenny shares how design decisions—especially those made early—can dramatically influence both carbon impact and occupant experience. The conversation dives into embodied carbon, adaptive reuse, and the growing role of mass timber, while highlighting the importance of community-driven design and collaboration across disciplines. Jenny offers practical insights on aligning client priorities with wellness outcomes, proving that sustainability and human health are not competing goals—but inseparable ones. This episode challenges us to design buildings that people don’t just use—but truly value and preserve. More About Jenny Heim Jenny Heim, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador, is a Senior Associate and the Sustainable Design Leader for McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. Jenny’s role includes serving…
People in this episode
Host: Joe Menchefski
Guest: Jenny Heim
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: McMillan Pazdan Smith, Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
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