Episode Overview:

Joe welcomes guest Eric Corey Freed – Principal, Sustainability Director of CannonDesign, to discuss the latest developments in sustainable building practices.

Key Takeaway 1: Abundance Mindset: Eric and Joe discuss the importance of adopting an abundance mindset when it comes to sustainable design. This involves utilizing resources that are abundant on a site, such as solar energy and water resources, and exploring alternative building materials made from natural, bio-based sources.

Key Takeaway 2: Negative Consequences of Synthetics: Eric dives into the negative consequences of building with synthetic chemicals instead of utilizing plants and algae. These synthetic materials can have detrimental effects on health, contribute to pollution, and contaminate air and water. By shifting to bio-based materials, which are more in line with human physiology and non-toxic, we can create healthier and more sustainable buildings.

Key Takeaway 3: Circular Economy:  The concept of the circular economy and its potential to revolutionize how we build and consume products is relatively new. Eric’sbook, “Circular Economy for Dummies”, explores various companies implementing circular practices, providing a new perspective on how to build everything from buildings to fashion and food. This approach aims to create positive feedback loops for improvement and achieve desired outcomes, such as finding materials that meet health standards.

Key Takeaway 4: Outcomes-Based Approach: Eric emphasizes the importance of highlighting the tangible benefits and outcomes that sustainable design brings. Whether it's enhancing student performance through daylighting in schools or improving patient health in hospitals with well-designed ventilation and healthy materials, the focus is on achieving specific, meaningful outcomes. Every design choice is made with the purpose of realizing a particular outcome.

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Highlights:

  • 12:29 – Climate adaption needed
  • 17:02 – Embracing the Circular Economy
  • 26:51 - Outcomes-based approach
  • 31:29 – Bold climate bill
  • 38:12 – Shift fear-based to abundance-based
  • 43:06 – Testing new materials

Follow Eric Corey Freed:

Cannon Design: https://www.cannondesign.com/people/eric-corey-freed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/organicarchitect/
X: https://twitter.com/ericcoreyfreed

Connect with Joe Walker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-walker-335b0914/