Air Quality by Design
This pattern is shaped by
Problem
Indoor air is typically two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. When buildings are sealed for energy efficiency without adequate ventilation, they trap volatile organic compounds, cooking byproducts, moisture, CO₂, and particulates. People spend 90% of their time indoors.
Evidence and Discussion
The tension between energy efficiency and air quality is solvable — heat recovery ventilation (HRV) provides continuous fresh air while recovering 80–90% of the heat. But the system must be designed holistically: low-emitting materials, kitchen and bathroom exhaust, CO₂-responsive ventilation, and source control.
Therefore
in every dwelling, design a continuous ventilation system — preferably heat recovery ventilation — that provides at least 0.3 air changes per hour of filtered fresh air. Specify low-VOC finishes, adhesives, and furnishings. Provide separate exhaust for kitchens and bathrooms. Install CO₂ monitoring in bedrooms and workspaces. The air you breathe indoors should be at least as clean as the air outdoors.