How we shape our buildings — and how they shape us
Article Written by Stanford Engineering Staff
"Sarah Billington began her career in civil engineering studying concrete, a remarkable material that has literally shaped the world as we know it.
Concrete is one of the most-consumed materials on Earth — second only to water, but this one material alone is also responsible for 6 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.
That cold realization and a dispiriting morning meeting spent in a bunkerlike concrete-walled room led Billington to alter her research focus. She now studies how we can construct buildings designed to enhance human health and well-being. From artistic, behavior-nudging digital displays to spaces that inspire a sense of belonging and creativity, Billington says that buildings should be central contributors to our sense of fulfillment in life.
Tune in as host Russ Altman and Sarah Billington discuss a new and more holistic approach to building design.
You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine."