A holistic approach overview. 2018

A Holistic Approach
Towards a Healthy
Environment
By Shannon Hall, Assoc.AIA, Allied ASID, C.I.D.
A Holistic Approach Overview.key - November 15, 2018

12 Human Wellness Areas That A
Building can Help Support
• Focused Mind
• Sustained Energy
• Healthy Weight
• Rest and Regeneration
• Stress and Mood
Management
• Longevity
• Natural Alignment
• Growth and
Development
• Immune & Microbiome
Support
• Enhanced Beauty
• Joy & Happiness
• Enhanced Vitality
DesignSystemsforLife.com

The Living Building, Recognize it as Part
of the Holistic System to Your Health
• Build for Life- A holistic interaction of human
involvement with the environment and the regenerative
sustainability of the environment
• A principal of balance that all materials that come from
the natural environment make up the ‘living structure’
and will promote health. These materials shall cause no
harm.
• Technology should be subordinate to nature, life and
culture.

The Alchemical Elements
1. Energy/Light- where the sun’s energy is stored on earth in: nature (in
wood , in plants, in oil, etc.) or converted into another energy form.
Some forms are renewable and some are not renewable
2. Air- the human and plant exchange as oxygen and carbon-dioxide
3. Water-the cycle of evaporation, cloud formation, and the return to the
earth as groundwater where it soaks back into the earth to be puriﬁed
and energize by the help of the earth and especially the trees.
4. Materia-where organic forms (plant/animal) ingest inorganic matter
(minerals) and when the organic forms die, the inorganic matter is
returned to the earth (the erosion/composting cycle).
5. The Fifth Element -the interstice of all elements and you!

So, what are we not mindful of in
the built environment, typically?

1. Energy: Electro-Magnetic Radiation,
The Current Unregulated Wild West:
• Forms: natural-the sun, ultra violet radiation, earth’s magnetic field and
geophysical make-up of the Earth (faults, underground springs and
strong magnetic field pockets)
• Forms-man-made: power lines, cell phones & smart technolgies,
fluorecent lighting, blue-skewed LEDs, and microwave ovens as a few
examples.
• They all have a psychological and physiological effect on us.
• Substantial data is mounting against non-ionzing radiation such as:
alternating electric fields, alternating magnetic fields, electrostatic fields,
static magnetic fields, radar, radio frequencies, ELF radiation. New
findings show major cellular damage can happen at suprisingly low
levels!

1. Energy:The Origin of Detrimental
Electro-Magnetic Energies in the Home
• Granite countertops, some ceramic glazing
• Overhead fluorescent and Blue Light LED lighting
• Circuit panel
• Wiring in floors, walls, ceiling
• Electric blanket and Bedding in general
• Extension cords
• Boxspring coils
• Power distribution linesPower transformers
• tv’s, stereos, refrigerators
• smart devices
• smart utility meters
• wireless anything
• radio clocks, smoke detectors
• microwaves
• dimmers
• baby monitors
• cell phone towers
• Animals
• Upholstory
• Carpet
• Shower curtian
• Sinks
• Vinyl floor
• steel trusses, piping,
furniture framing

1. Energy:Telluric and Cosmic
Energies of the Earth
• Biogeology-The study of interaction and influence of the physical
earth on all forms of life .
• Cosmic energy patterns-Relating to an electric current which is
detected on the earth’ surface; influence of this current on the
habitat and the inhabitants. and originates from space and other
celestial bodies.
• Telluric energy patterns-Relating to an electric current which is
detected near the earth’ surface; influence of this current on the
habitat and the inhabitants.
• cracks, crevices, faults, underground currents, grid systems,
underground water veins, ore deposits, caverns, grottos and Earth
energy ‘Grids’

1. Health Impacts of Energy
• weakened muscles
• headache
• chronic irritability
• metabolic disorders
and digestion issues
• decreased red blood
cells
• fatigue
• bad sleep hygiene
• Macular degeneration
• blood pressure issues
• depression (SAD), Vitamin D
synthesis
• decreased immune function
• femaleand male fertility function
• hyperactivity
• circadian rhythm disruption,
interupting seritonin and meletonin
cycles
• pain management
• cancer and death

2. Air: Indoor + Outdoor Contaminants
• Bioaerosols (mold mildew,
bacteria,viruses, dust mites,
animal dander, pollen)
• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs)
• Outdoor air
• Moisture Control
• Pesticides
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Common Indoor Air
Contaminants
• Transportation
• Dust and particulates
• Radon
• Particulate gases
• Asbestos
• Combustion Gases Industry
• Ore Smelting, Paper Milling
• Electricity generation
• Dry and Wet deposition
Common Outdoor Air
Contaminants

2. Air Contaminates, Where are
They in a Home? A very small overall
sampling:
• Lead dust, ie pre 1978 paint chips and dust
• Chlorine treated water (among other
contaminates)
• Tile adhesives, grouts, caulking off-gases
• Unvented appliances like stoves and
furnaces and fireplaces
• Fumes from finishes, ie: latex (water-based
paints have formaldehyde)
• vacuum cleaner
• Radon-cracks in foundation,
• Combustion gasses CO2 and sewer gases
• Poor ventilation
• Pesticides
• Synthetic carpets, plastics, carpet pads off-
gas styrene, formaldehyde and other VOC’s
• moisture and mold spore cycle and other
biological contaminates
• Dust mites, airborne viruses and germs
• Foam in furnishings (urea formaldehyde)anf
furniture containing pvc
• Office/Hobby machines, laser printers,
copiers, 3-D printers etc
• Cleaning supplies
• Asbestos-wire and piping insulation, flooring

2. Health Impacts of Air
• Upper Respiratory Health
• Allergies & Asthma
• Chronic Fatigue
• Skin Irritations
• Headaches & Attention Span

3. Water: Common Contaminants
Overview:
• Microbial-microorganisms for lakes
and reservoirs via animal waste-
bacteria and parasites, e-coli,
legionellosis (cryptosporidium),
giardia, guardia, salmonella
• Fertilizers & pesticides from
agriculture
• solvents found in wells from
groundwater (gas stations and dry
cleaning operation)-
trichloroethylene & perchlorethene,
petro chemicals
• Inorganic-styrene, metals (atimony,
arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium,
chromium, copper, lead, thallium,
mercury, selenium, ﬂuoride),
• asbestos ﬁbers, rust particles, sodium
chloride, nitrates, sulfates, detergents
• Radionuclide
• Chlorination-THM’s-triahalomethanes
• PCB’s, phthalates & DDT
• Organic

3. Water: Process + Concerns
• corse screens: coagulation (add hydrated aluminum sulfate), flocculation,
sedimentation, filtration (sand/activated carbon or sand/diatomaceous earth),
airation to final settling tanks then to disinfection (UV Sanitation, chlorination,
bromine, ozonation) and recycled water, fluoridation (adding hydroflourosic
acid), ammoniation (to combine with residual chlorine to aid in distribution)
Process
• construction components (Pex, PVC, Copper, Gavinized Iron) aging
infrastructure; monitoring; contamination from leakes and breaks;
component failure; maintaining proper operation and testing; sludge
disposal; fluoridation; chlorination; bacteria; pesticides, chemicals Low
pH
Concerns

3. Health Impacts of Water:
• Chlorine and Other Disinfectant Bi-products, Dissolved Minerals, Sediment, Bacteria,
Water Hardness (calcium carbonate)
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
HEALTH IMPACTS - Contaminated Water
• Neurophysiological, Gastrointestinal, Colorectal, Cardiovascular, and Endocrine
Health, Blood Pressure
HEALTH IMPACTS - Dehydration
• Negative Impacts on Productivity and Alertness; Leads to Anxiety, confusion,
irritability, and Fatigue

4. Materia-Focusing on the Interiors:
Building Materials
• Carpeting
• Hardwood
• Ceramic Tile
• Natural Linoleum
• PVC
• Wall Coverings
• Paints
• Wall Substructures
• Particle Board
• Plaster
• Thermal Insulation
• Windows
• Glass
• Furniture

4. Materia-Interior Concerns
• Carpet-outgasing, chemicals and formaldehyde, traps dust and
dander, dirt and pesticides. Synthetic carpets create static
electricity and tend to reduce negative ions. Positive ions hold
dust particles, bacteria, etc. in the air.
• Hardwood ﬂoors- generally no problems. Its the synthetic oil
based paints, polyuerethane and synthetic glues used to ﬁnish the
wood. It is recyclable. Use only sustainable species. Easy to
recycle. Wood supports +/- ion balance.
• Ceramic Tile-generally no problems. Slippage, grout, glue,
caulking and radioactivity of some glazes.

• Natural Linoleum-Made of natural materials. Only the freshly laid
flooring has a strong linseed smell that would trigger a chemically
sensitive person. A renewable material. Water damage/moisture
under the floor may cause mold to grow backside to top.
• PVC-Very toxic and hazardous for the workers. It is flammable,
explosive, carcinogenic, leads to softening of the bones, skin
complaints, impotence. It offsets the +/- ion balance by eliminating
the beneficial - ions.
• Wallpaper-Paper is better than plastic, as it could be PVC. Vinyl
wallpaper outgases phthalate plasticizers and changes the +/- ion
balance detrimentally. Wallpaper glue may contain toxic chemicals
against mold and mildew which grow in corners and behind curtains.

• Paints-Lead paint pre 1978. It causes a problem with lead dust or
when chips are eaten. Today’s paint represents a threat to the
painter and to the occupant until the chemicals have outgassed.
Look for low or No VOC paints.
• Wall Substructures-Dust and mainly affects the construction worker.
Industrial gypsum may contain signiﬁgant amount of toxic
pollutants (heavy metals & petrochemicals), might also be
radioactive too. The craft paper facing made from recycled
newspaper could affect sensitives. Use of joint compount that most
likely is toxic and when dry and sanded, produces formaldehyde
dust.
• Particleboard-Outgassing of formaldehyde. especially with UF glue

• Plaster-if artificial, it may contain petrochemicals and is
potentially toxic. Types-Lime, Gypsum, Cement plaster, Earth
Plaster. Lime is preferable indoors, Cement is the most durable.
Magnesium Oxide for use in plaster has electrical properties that
are beneficial for health. Plasters with the exception of cement
plaster is renewable.
• Thermal insulation-If natural, it could be a problem if it gets wet
and grows mold. Plastic materials off-gas toxic formaldehyde,
dioxin, etc especial with a fire. Some glues containing urea-
formaldehyde (UF) can outgas toxic chemicals.

• Windows-PVC outgassing when heated. When incinerated they
are toxic. Avoid PVC blinds!
• Glass-No health issues using glass. However it does not allow
UV light to pass and a small amount of it (3-4%) is very
important to human health. Using Tinted glass negatively
impacts body function due to elimination of certain frequencies.

• Furniture-Does it outgas? Is there ﬁre retardant in the
foam or the cushion that is introducing clouds of
bromated ﬁre retardant. Is the material used from plastic,
metal, wood or chipboard?
• Is the location of the bed in a dangerous zone of EMR,
EMF or earth radiation? Does the bed or piece of
upholstered furniture contain metal springs?

4. Health Impacts of Materia
• Beauty and design, Supporting relaxation, Connection with the community, Access
to knowledge, Thermal Comfort, Acoustic comfort, Ergonomics, Hygienic comfort,
Radiant Energy Protection
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
HEALTH IMPACTS
• Lower blood pressure and regulate heart rate, Reduce chronic back pain and
headaches, Improved bowel function, Reduce stress, Neurophysiological and
hypertensive therapy, Heart rate management, Anxiety and tension reduction,
Muscle pain reduction and improved posture, Decrease fatigue and increase
productivity

So, what are we really not mindful of
in the built environment, typically?
THE FIFTH ELEMENT

The Fifth Element: The Interstice of
Personal Care + Well-being
• As health and well-being is custom to each person. It is quantify-able and
qualify-able by many techniques. The traditional method of going to the family
doctor to get a perscription or to aquire a referral for specialist that usually
results in surgery, is not a financially sustainable nor is it a sustainable method in
the pursuit of wellness! Look into:
• Integrative, environmental or homeopathic medicine that looks for Optimal
Living Markers and not just the diseased state markers. BioHack! (under the
guidance of a doctor). Learn biofeedback techniques for yourself to
understand your own body’s signals. Keep a health journal for your doctor’s
appointments. Ask questions and be proactive of your health!
• Do eat the best non-processed food you can and drink the best quality water
you can find locally.
• Get exercise, three times a week is an optimal goal to have.
• Get into a meditative practice on your own daily for a minimum of five
minutes or at your place of worship.

The Fifth Element: Design
Systems for Life Wellness Values
• Rest better with sleep enhancing innovations such as night lighting,
darkening window shades and EMF-free zones.
• Support Relaxation and increase Mental Acuity through
aromatherapy, light and acoustics techniques
• Improve Digestive Health through nutrition and diet support
• Decrease Stress with techniques to enable acoustic comfort
• Enhance Thermal Comfort with proper humidity and temperature
set points for individual and natural control
• Joint Relief through posture supportive ﬂooring and ergonomic
design

• Maximize Overall Health with design that supports healthy eating and
enables regular exercise
• Increase Light Energy through circadian lighting and light therapy
• Reduce Eye Strain with an envelope that controls natural light,
enhanced ambient light, and properly designs finishes
• Improve Cardiac and Respiratory Health through reductions in toxins,
specialized filtration techniques for purified air, and improve over all air
quality
• Strengthen Immune System Health through surface materials and
proprietary treatments
• Hydrate better with purified water
Systems for Life Wellness Values

The Fifth Element: The Interstice of
Living Spaces + Wellbeing
• Currently unsustainable for our health is our building materials, techniques, maintenance
and industry driven cost-per-square-foot mindset. Proper Design Systems and costs
are critical!
• Get to know your own environment (natural and built) where you live. It is actually the
most impactful attribute of your goal for sustainable well being! Get to know the site
conditions of your property as much as you would, say, designing the details of your own
kitchen. Take the bio-geologists approach. Or hire a professional who is aware of these
issues who can steer you to better choices.
• Use classic materials where ever possible and avoid synthetic, toxic and radioactive
items whenever and where ever possible.
• And especially become aware of the electro-magnetic world you live in and use
technology and materials that apmlify it safely! It is very unregulated. And what
regulations in the Communication and Insurrance Industries have passed, are not
friendly at all to private property or human health goals!
• Buildings should be able to supply us with adequate opportunity to rest and relax
• Buildings should embrace and nurture you body and soul.

The Fifth Element: Design Systems
for Life Building Values
• Sites for buildings to be on geologically undisturbed land
• Residential areas are best located away from industrial centers and
main traffic routes
• Housing should be developed in a decentralized and loose manner
interlaced with sufficient green space
• Housing should be personalized, in harmony with nature, fit for human
habitation and family accessibly oriented.
• Use natural and unadulterated building materials
• Use wall, floor, and ceiling materials that allow air diffusion and are
hygroscopic
• Indoor air humidity shall be regulated naturally

25 Principles of Building
Biology (continued)
• Filter and neutralize air pollutants
• An appropriate balance of thermal insulation and heat retention
• Air and surface temperatures of a given room need to be
optimized
• Use radiant heat/cooling as much as passive solar heat /cooling
as possible
• The total moisture content of a new building shall be low and
dry out quickly
• Shall have a pleasant and neutral smell

• Lighting, light and color shall be in harmony with natural conditions
• Protective measures against noise pollution as well as infrasonic
and ultrasonic vibrations need to be human oriented
• Use building materials with little or preferably no radiation
• Maintain the natural balance of atmospheric electricity and ion
concentration
• Earth’s natural magnetic ﬁeld shall not be altered or distorted.
• Eliminate or reduce man-made electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
as much as possible
Systems for Life Building Values

• Cosmic and terrestrial radiation is essential and shall be interfered with
as little as possible
• Interior and furniture design shall be based on physiological ﬁndings
• Harmonic measures, proportions, and shapes need to be taken into
serious consideration in the design process
• Produce, install, and dispose of building materials in a way that does
not contribute to environmental polution and high energy costs
• Building activities shall not contribute to the exploitation of non-
renewable and rare resources
• Building Means + Methods shall not cause a rise in social and
medical costs
Systems for Life Building Values

The Fifth Element: Design Systems for
Life Building Values
• ‘A well building hath three conditions: ﬁrmness, commodity
and delight.’-Vitruvius
• Buildings should be built in accordance to the laws of nature.
• Buildings should be a live, natural and breathing house for its
occupants. It is your third skin and ﬁrst defense and keeper of
your well-being!

The Fifth Element:The Intersice of Our
Sensing Exchange Systems with the
Environment
• The Nine Subtle Bodies- they are linked to the body’s endocrine system and
five senses.
• INDIAN Chakras-are intake/outtake nodes within the body that process
information from the subtle body/field detection of sensory information from
outside sources of the living being. There are thousands of chakras, the West
identifies seven main nodes: crown/pineal, 3rd eye/carotid plexus/pituitary,
cervical plexus/ thyroid, cardiac plexus/thymus, solar plexus/pancreas, lumbar
plexus/gonads, sacral plexus/adrenals.
• CHINESE Meridians- are channels on the body and when manipulated in TCM/
acupuncture. These are the places of electrical exchange within the body that
connect to the chakra’s for the body’s tuning, recieving and sending signals…
like an antenna.
• All our systems are custom to ourselves due to genetics and enviromment and
habits. It is also how we interact with our world!

The Fifth Element: Dancing in the
Interstice is YOU! You are One Amazing
Antenna!
• Whether you acknowledge it or not, you actually use all of your senses every
day!
• It is a key component to help pilot you and your loved ones to optimal well
being.
• As an antenna, you are constantly processing all that is around you.
Everything that meets your system is an energy exchange. Learn to tune
into it for your own journey of well-being!
• Its not just for toxic situations, people and food. It also is your interactions
of the four elements around you: Energy, Air, Water and Materia.
• So Strive to surround yourself with materials
and Design Systems that support your well-
being for Life.

Shannon Hall
consultant@designsystemsforlife.com
Design + Planning Consultant for Wellness
www.designsystemsforlife.com

A holistic approach overview. 2018

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