Making microbiology of the built environment relevant to design

G Z Brown; Jeff Kline; Gwynne Mhuireach; Dale Northcutt; Jason Stenson

doi:10.1186/s40168-016-0152-7

Making microbiology of the built environment relevant to design

Microbiome. 2016 Feb 16:4:6. doi: 10.1186/s40168-016-0152-7.

Authors

G Z Brown^{1

2}, Jeff Kline^{3

4}, Gwynne Mhuireach^{3

4

5}, Dale Northcutt^{3

4}, Jason Stenson^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, Department of Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA. gzbrown@uoregon.edu.
² Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA. gzbrown@uoregon.edu.
³ Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, Department of Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
⁴ Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
⁵ Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.

Abstract

Architects are enthusiastic about "bioinformed design" as occupant well-being is a primary measure of architectural success. However, architects are also under mounting pressure to create more sustainable buildings. Scientists have a critical opportunity to make the emerging field of microbiology of the built environment more relevant and applicable to real-world design problems by addressing health and sustainability in tandem. Practice-based research, which complements evidence-based design, represents a promising approach to advancing knowledge of the indoor microbiome and translating it to architectural practice.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Microbiology*
Architecture / methods*
Construction Industry
Environment Design
Humans
Microbiota / physiology*
Quality of Life