MOTIVATING FACTORS: A Call to Action

As designers and as citizens, the last several months have left us worried about the future of our world, our country, our communities and our families. Like so many others, we've been shaken by the abrupt realization that our most important institutions could be made incomprehensibly fragile overnight.  

While the connection between current American politics and our roles as designers / architects / sustainability researchers may sound tenuous, we believe our professional experience gives us an ideal platform to speak up for the things we value most: strong local communities, global stability, human health and happiness, and the long-term health of our shared planet. The new administration has already sent a clear message that issues of environmental regulation and protection are under acute threat, and we cannot stand still and stay silent. 

We see this turbulent moment in time as our call to action. Please join us as we work to create a space that highlights and celebrates building materials, products and practices that result in better health for all of us.  Our goal with HAABITT is to make identifying and selecting less toxic, more sustainable and more intelligent building materials easier and thus habitual practice for designers, builders and consumers. Consumer awareness leads to consumer demand, which is a potent tool for effecting corporate and governmental change. In turn, corporate and governmental change will support healthier environments and habitats. 

Along the way, we’ll celebrate best practices in the industry, advise on new and old technologies worth knowing about, and review new materials for environmental impact, longevity, toxicity, recyclability, and sound manufacturing processes. We welcome your questions as well as your contributions!