(I11) Inclusive Pathways to Health in LEED v5: Harnessing Biophilic and Universal Design

What is new in LEED v5? And how will this impact human health and wellbeing?

It’s critical to note that LEED v5 recognizes that climate change will be the largest threat to human health. As such, LEED v5, particularly the indoor environmental quality category, supports adaptation for current and future climate through the use of future weather files and the careful identification of vulnerable populations. LEED v5 prioritizes air quality transparency along with improved air quality monitoring strategies for both indoor and outdoor air.

Once LEED projects consider and adapt to pressing physiological health threats, they can also prioritize designing for mental health and wellness. By incorporating more universal and inclusive design principles, LEED will empower projects to design for physically and mentally diverse populations. This not only means improving access to spaces and amenities throughout the building, but also approaching existing strategies, like acoustic design, thermal comfort, and lighting through a new lens.