10. Designing for Wellness: Building Biology Principles for Interior Designers

Episode 10: Designing for Wellness: Building Biology Principles for Interior Designers

Description:

In this episode of Design with Impact, Alex sits down with Jen Nickel, founder of Invision Design Solutions, to explore the powerful intersection of interior design, building science, and human health through the lens of building biology.

Jen shares her journey into wellness-driven design, what building biology really means, and why interior designers have an important role to play in shaping healthier homes. Together, they dive into topics like indoor air quality, toxic off-gassing, moisture resilience, mold prevention, natural building materials, passive house design, and lighting strategies that support circadian rhythm.

They also unpack key takeaways from the Ontario Natural Building Conference, including circularity, deconstruction, innovative insulation materials, and how natural finishes like clay and lime plasters can improve indoor environments.

If you’re an interior designer ready to move beyond aesthetics and start designing homes that truly support long-term wellbeing, this episode is a must-listen.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What building biology is and why it matters in interior design
• How interior design decisions directly impact human health and wellbeing
• The importance of moisture resilience and how modern construction traps moisture
• Key insights from the Ontario Natural Building Conference
• How deconstruction helps divert demolition waste from landfills
• Natural building materials like straw bale, hempcrete, rammed earth, and clay plasters
• Why repairability is a major factor in sustainable design
• Passive House basics and how high-performance building impacts health
• Lighting strategies that support circadian rhythm and better sleep
• Practical ways to maximize natural daylight in a space

Connect with Jen Nickel:

Website: https://www.invisiondesign.ca/

Instagram: @jen_nickel_invisiondesign

LinkedIn: Invision Design Solutions

Resources Mentioned:

• Ontario Natural Building Coalition
• Stone House Kachelofen – Jessica Steinhauser
• Ouroboros (deconstruction and material reuse)
• Arcana Restoration Group (historic masonry restoration)
• Beyond Plasters

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