Events

Learn how to select healthier building materials and accrue points to meet the new 2020 Enterprise Green Communities certification from our guest panel including an architect, a developer, and research experts. You'll get first-hand insight about the criteria and our new set of HomeFree resources specially designed to support your efforts, including templates, product databases, and diagrams to help you navigate transparency documents and certifications. You'll also hear from early adopters who will share what challenges to expect and how to overcome them.

HBN staff Roberto Valle Kinloch and Rebecca Stamm will join the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) for an informative webinar that will discuss the connection between energy, climate, materials, and health. Learn how these issues are interrelated, why they matter, and how you can start selecting healthier insulation and air sealants in your projects.

When choosing turf for your athletic field or recreation area, choices go far beyond synthetic turf versus natural grass. Even if health and the environment are at the forefront of the decision-making process, it can be difficult to identify safer options.

Healthy Building Network CEO Gina Ciganik, and Ben Passer from Fresh Energy will co-host a 30 minute webinar on Healthy Affordable Housing. This webinar is the third installment in Fresh Energy's four part series. For more information and to register, visit https://fresh-energy.org/truly-affordable/.

This interactive webinar will provide an opportunity for speakers and attendees to share their strategies for combining energy and health upgrades to help promote health and wellness for residents of multifamily buildings. Panelists will present case studies of innovative partnerships between affordable housing providers, public health, and building science stakeholders to advance energy + health initiatives and will share experiences pursuing the FitWel® certification for healthy buildings.

Speakers: Krista Egger, Enterprise Community Partners; Ruchi Shah, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation; Neil Steinkamp, Stout; Roberto Valle Kinloch, Healthy Building Network; Drew Vernalia, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation.

Safer and affordable flooring? Yes, it is possible! In this webinar you will learn how to select affordable flooring products that are safer for human health and the environment. This session will arm housing owners, operators, and developers with simple, science-based information to choose less toxic materials across portfolios and projects. You will hear firsthand from leading practitioners about their experiences choosing safer flooring.

Engage, explore and act with HBN in our 3-series webinar on healthier building materials!

Webinar 3 - In Practice: Integrating Healthier Materials in Your Projects
Integrating healthier materials in to projects can seem complicated. Gaining insight from people who have done it can demystify the process and give you a leg up on implementing healthier options in your next project. Join us for this webinar and learn firsthand from HomeFree pilot project team members and leading practitioners.

Engage, explore and act with HBN in our 3-series webinar on healthier building materials!

Webinar 2 - Why Healthier Materials + Selecting Healthier Paint with HomeFree
Taking action! Step up your paint selection to a healthier option. Join us and build your capacity to make informed decisions related to healthier paint products offered to affordable housing owners, operators, and developers. Step by step vetting process to quickly and easily move up to healthier paint products for use in unit turns and new construction.

Healthy Building Network is excited to bring a HomeFree - Healthy Affordable Materials to the Twin Cities. Whether this is your first experience with HomeFree or you’re an active user, join us for this informative and interactive workshop to boost your knowledge and capacity to choose healthier products for your projects.

Healthy Building Network is excited to bring a HomeFree - Healthy Affordable Materials to San Francisco. Whether this is your first experience with HomeFree or you’re an active user, join us for this informative and interactive workshop to boost your knowledge and capacity to choose healthier products for your projects.

In this era of Climate Crisis, and from the vantage point of material health, there is an urgent need to imagine new paths for architecture and design in order to create a new healthier future for everyone. This symposium provides a platform to examine issues of material health and celebrate material innovation, grapple with new and long-sustained challenges in socially engaged research and practice, as well as critically reflect on necessary changes to academic architectural and interior design programs. Together, exceptional perspectives will identify viable alternatives and illuminate new paths for the next generation of architecture and design.

Engage, explore and act with HBN in our 3-series webinar on healthier building materials!

Webinar 1: Welcome to HomeFree: Why Materials Matter
Whether you are new to the healthier materials conversation or simply want to deepen your understanding, join us and boost your knowledge and capacity to choose healthier products for your projects. Participants will learn the essentials of healthy building materials including health impacts, US regulation, and how to get started and take action.

People spend 90% of their time indoors. So, it’s no surprise that the spaces where we learn, create, and come together to solve our greatest challenges have a significant impact on human experience.

Shaw Industries, a global flooring company with a commitment to sustain[HUMAN]abilityTM, will moderate a discussion focused on putting people at the center of sustainability efforts. This webinar will showcase three case studies from diverse organizations and will explore what is driving their efforts, the challenges they’ve faced, keys to success and what’s on the horizon.

The Building Energy Exchange is hosting a forum highlighting the findings of A Guide to Healthier Upgrade Materials will be presented, focusing on multiple material alternatives for use in two common energy retrofits measures—insulating and air sealing. The Guide was developed by Healthy Building Network with the Healthy Affordable Building Materials working group and Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA).

HBN is participating in a panel discussion addressing the chemical exposures that can affect health in buildings as well as building materials and practices related to the building envelope that can be used to maintain a healthy indoor environment. (Available credits – AIA/APHA/BPI).

Hyatt Centric French Quarter
800 Iberville Street
New Orleans, LA

Pittsburgh, PA - International Living Future Institute's Living Product Expo
Tuesday, September 11, 2018 through Thursday, September 13, 2018

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Seattle, WA - HomeFree: Peer Exchange - Healthy Materials For Affordable Housing
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 8:45 AM to 10:00 AM

Smart Buildings Center
Pacific Tower
1200 12th Ave. S, Suite 110
Seattle, WA 98144

Washington, D.C. - HomeFree Workshop Level 3
Thursday, December 7th from 9am - 11am

National Housing Trust
1101 30th Street NW, Suite 100A
Washington, D.C. 20007

New York, NY - HomeFree Workshop Level 3
Tuesday, December 5th from 9:00am - 11:00am

Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
One Whitehall Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10004

New Orleans, LA - HomeFree Workshop Level 3
Thursday, November 30th from 3:00pm - 6:00pm CT

Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design
1725 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 70113

Minneapolis, MN - HomeFree Workshop Level 3
Wednesday, November 1st from 8:30am - 10:30am CT

McKnight Foundation
710 S 2nd, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Seattle, WA - HomeFree Workshop Level 3
Thursday, October 26th from 2pm - 4pm PT

12th Avenue Arts
1660 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

Los Angeles, CA - HomeFree Workshop Level 2
Tuesday, October 3rd from 2pm - 4pm PT

Joan Palevsky Center
281 South Figueroa Street
Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90012

International Living Future Institute Hosts Third Annual Living Product Expo Dedicated to Healthy Products
Pittsburgh, PA | September 12-14, 2017

Spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPF) is presented as a highly-effective and versatile product that meets high R-value needs for professionals and DIYers alike. But there are widespread and legitimate concerns about the health effects of its ingredients (particularly isocyanates). An expert panel will present health concerns raised by fenceline communities, occupational and environmental health studies, fire fighters and fire investigators, and others along the life cycle of this product.

Spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPF) is presented as a highly-effective and versatile product that meets high R-value needs for professionals and DIYers alike.

But there are widespread and legitimate concerns about the health effects of its ingredients (particularly isocyanates).

After reviewing its chemistry and life cycle impacts, and where and how isocyanates are used in building products, this presentation reviews the historical and current ingredients and uses of SPF in buildings. We present health concerns about these uses raised by fenceline communities, occupational and environmental health studies, fire fighters and fire investigators, and others along the life cycle of this product -- with a focus on the toxic ingredients in SPF.

Those concerns include reports from a Syracuse occupational health clinic about the experiences of work crews and building occupants, supplemented by concerns and questions from building scientists, occupational and environmental health agencies and researchers, and other important sources over the years.

We present examples of less toxic substitutions by application for SPF and discuss how a precautionary green chemistry framework meets the goal of sustainable buildings that are healthy and safe for all.

Featured speakers include: Greg Siwinski, certified industrial hygienist with the Occupational Health Clinical Center (SUNY Upstate Medical University); moderator Rebecca Stamm (Healthy Building Network's lead researcher on insulation and sealants); and, HBN research director Jim Vallette.

Washington, D.C. - HomeFree Workshop Level 2
Wednesday, July 26th from 9am - 11am.

National Housing Trust
1101 30th Street NW, Suite 100A
Washington, D.C 20007

The BlueGreen Alliance Foundation and its Building Clean initiative are pleased to invite you to a free symposium, Pick Your Poison: How Toxic Exposure Could Increase Under Proposed EPA Changes.

Green Science Policy Institute
HEALTHIER PRODUCTS, HEALTHIER PEOPLE
Webcast Series: The Six Classes Approach to Reducing Harmful Chemicals
June 22- Introduction, Highly Fluorinated Chemicals, Antimicrobials
June 29- Introduction, Flame Retardants, Bisphenols & Phthalates
July 6- Introduction, Some Solvents, Certain Metals

New York, NY - HomeFree Workshop
Wednesday, June 21st from 9:30am - 11:30am.

Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
One Whitehall Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10004

New Orleans, LA - HomeFree Workshop
Tuesday, June 6th from 9:30am - 11:30am

Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design

More Details and Registration - https://hbn-homefree-nola-june-6.eventbrite.com

St. Paul, MN - HomeFree & CommonBond Communities Workshop
Wednesday, May 24th from 8:30am - 10:30am

Skyline Tower
1247 St. Anthony
St. Paul, MN 55104

More Details and Registration- https://homefree_and_commonbond_case_studies.eventbrite.com

Living Future 17
THE LEADING EVENT FOR REGENERATIVE DESIGN
May 17-19, 2017 • Seattle, WA

Living Future unConference is an annual event that attracts disruptive design leaders. Join a cross-industry collaborative network that is creating a healthy built environment.

Seattle, WA- The Intersection of Material Health and Energy in Affordable Housing
Monday, May 15th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Healthy Building Network's HomeFree workshop will be co-presented with International Living Future Institute as part of Affordable Housing Week 2017: Seattle. Come and connect with national experts and local practitioners to learn about healthy material selection and energy conservation for affordable housing.

More Details and Registration- https://hbn-and-ilfi-material-health-and-energy-workshop.eventbrite.com

Make an Impact in 2017

Impact Summit 2017 will highlight interior designers’ roles in defining how we live and work across cultures. Hosted by the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) and ASID, May 8-9 in Toronto, Canada, this solutions-oriented summit will use the Regent Park community in Toronto as a successful example for how migration can rejuvenate a neighborhood, build a strong workforce, and boost a local economy.

Learn more and register here: https://www.asid.org/events/impact-summit-2017-migration-culture-and-diversity-in-the-built-environment

Learn about highly fluorinated stain and water repellant chemicals in this one-hour webinar: the products and materials in which they are used, why they can be harmful, and what can be done about it. Leaders in the field will share their expertise on this persistent and potentially toxic class of chemicals. These engaging talks were presented at February 2017 Green Science Policy meetings. Register at http://greensciencepolicy.org/webinar-highly-fluorinated-chemicals-a-sticky-issue/.

A fun and informative science and policy symposium at UC Berkeley to network and learn about reducing the use of flame retardants, highly fluorinated chemicals, and other chemicals of concern in consumer and building products.

When: Friday, February 10, 2017, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: 150 University Hall, UC Berkeley (2199 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA)
Cost: $20 full-time students; $40 non-profit, government, academia and the public; $80 corporate and business. (Cost covers handouts, continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks.)
Preliminary agenda and registration at http://greensciencepolicy.org/fab-registration-2017/. Seating is limited.

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 AM
Where: Kelly Cullen Community Auditorium 220 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is hosting a daylong public workshop with experts from industry, academia, NGOs, and other government agencies to discuss the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in carpets, rugs, indoor upholstered furniture, and their care and treatment products. This workshop is part of the DTSC’s Safer Consumer Products program (SCP) work towards identifying the next round of proposed Priority Products.

Don't get stuck with an unhealthy adhesive. Join us for this HomeFree webinar. Healthy Building Network's researcher, Melissa Coffin, will present the latest HomeFree guidance on adhesives and answer audience questions.

Don't get stuck with an unhealthy adhesive. Join us for this HomeFree webinar. Healthy Building Network's researcher, Melissa Coffin, will present the latest HomeFree guidance on adhesives and answer audience questions.

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: November 15, 2016
Time: 12:00 - 2:00
Where: The National Housing Trust 1101 30th St NW Suite #100A
Washington, DC 20007

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Time: 11:00 - 1:00
Where: Japantown Senior Apartments 685 N 6th Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Time: 9:00 - 11:00
Where: Enterprise Community Partners - 1 Whitehall Street, 11th Floor New York, NY

Greenbuild L.A. Material Health Summit
Material Health Summit: Beyond the Tipping Point
Friday, October 7th, 1:30pm -4:30pm

The BOLD Room
958 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA

Join Healthy Building Network at Greenbuild 2016!

Come see us at Booth 1629 during the expo, or attend the session "Let's talk about PVC" on Wednesday October 5th from 8 am to 10 am., with presenters Bill Walsh, Michael Braungart, Wes Sullens, and Anne Christine Ayed, and moderator Joslyn Fagan.

Living Product Expo
Crafting the Future of Materials
WHEN: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 – Thursday, September 15, 2016
WHERE: David L. Lawrence Convention Center | 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. | Pittsburgh, PA

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Time: 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Where: 1725 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA

Innovating to the Materials Petal in Affordable Housing
Wednesday, June 15th, 2016
9-10am PST

International Living Future Institute
Living Future unConference 2016
May 11 - 13, 2016 | Seattle, WA

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: Tuesday, May 10th
Where: 12th Ave Arts Pike Pine Community
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm workshop
5:00 - 5:30 networking

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: Monday, May 9th
Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: 10 NW 3rd Ave, Portland OR 97209

Today, low‑wealth communities are disproportionately exposed to chemical hazards found in many building products and subsequently have more severe health‑related issues. We can change that.

When: Thursday, April 28
Time: 8:30 am – 10:00 am CDT
Location: McKnight Foundation 710 S 2nd St #400, Minneapolis ‑ Board Room