Living in a Materials World Fellowship & Blog Series Introduction
EskewDumezRipple’s 2024-2025 Research Fellows are investigating the topic of Materials as they relate to the architecture and design industry. These two Fellows spend either 3 months or 12 months researching materials and then share information with both our firm and those outside of EDR. This series will explore the impacts and opportunities of material selection.
We need to talk about materials. They are at the forefront of the built environment’s impact on human health, climate change, environmental justice and social equity. This is recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in the Materials Pledge, which commits to improve human and environmental health through intentional material specification. The pledge focuses on five impact areas: human health, social health and equity, ecosystem health, climate health, and a circular economy.
As the AIA has recently begun reporting metrics on how firms research, strategize and track their material selection, there is growing motivation within the industry to invest in processes that ensure healthy and sustainable choices. However, the information landscape for material health is arduous for many designers to navigate. There is a learning curve associated with reading transparency documents like HPDs and EPDs, understanding various certification programs, and how to inquire to reps and manufacturers about health and equity concerns.
While material selection relies on rigorous criteria about chemical contents and carbon footprints, it’s more than just an exercise in data management. The materials we select for projects reflect the values of the designers and the kind of world we want to live in. This blog series intends to reframe our logistical concerns through understanding the history and impacts of common materials. By understanding how our current conventions were established, we can make informed decisions about how to make changes that reflect our values of health, justice and sustainability.
“Material Spotlight” is a three-part series that analyzes the commonly used materials of flame retardants, carpets, and gypsum wallboard through the lens of human health, social equity and environmental issues to “shine a light” on the often-overlooked problems and ways that designers can work toward meaningful change.
Each post will begin with the history of the material, followed by an explanation of the problematic impacts. It will then explore change that is already happening around these issues. The posts will conclude with recommendations and resource documents developed by our team to help designers address these material problems in their own projects.
The goal of this series is to empower designers to respond to the unique issues raised as well as offer resources to start conversations in their project teams.
Follow along on our journey as we explore opportunities to make our world healthy, sustainable and just!
Theresa Mark
12 month Research Fellow
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Theresa Mark joins EskewDumezRipple as a year-long research fellow focusing on the impact of materials. Originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, she completed her Bachelor of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and continued her studies at New York Institute of Technology, receiving her M.S. in Architecture, Health and Design. Her thesis researched solutions to make care spaces more sensorially equitable for those with neurodiverse conditions, and her work on this topic was exhibited in the Salone del Mobile in Milan.
Theresa focuses on how the built environment can improve people's lives, a theme prevalent across her body of work. Through community engagement and user research, Theresa advocates for design across all scales to contribute to a healthy, just, and sustainable future. Theresa has worked in both the public and private sectors in the Hudson Valley and New York City.