Friendly Materials
Healthy environments
50% of the world's population lives in cities.
City dwellers spend up to 90% of their time indoors.
Indoor pollutant concentrations are up to 5 times higher than pollutant levels outdoors.
We must question the widespread use of materials containing chemical compounds harmful to human health.
Friendly Materials is the result of research work in which we objectively analyse a series of chemical compounds, materials, construction systems and the space as a whole, and evaluate how they affect the health.
Based on the parameters obtained, we can design and build architectural spaces that actively contribute to the health of their occupants. This analytical assessment tool also allows us to objectively evaluate existing spaces and propose improvements.
The Friendly Materials method of analysis is organised into 4 groups: substances, products, systems and spaces. The information related to each of the groups is provided on infocards that summarise extensive and complex information in a simple and visual way.
To a healthcare centre:
- Facilitates the healing process of patients and promotes better interaction between patients and medical staff.
- Helps to support emotional distress, reduce stress and provides a suitable environment that allows the necessary activities to run smoothly
To the construction sector:
- Raises awareness of non-toxic built environments and healthy space design.
- Makes better and more responsible choices when prescribing building materials, based on health parameters and not only on price, aesthetics or performance.
- Promotes transparency of information in the building materials industry.
- Advises and guides building materials companies and brands to improve their products, indicating alternatives to certain substances or proposing steps for improvement.
- Advises and guides contractors, project managers and architects to achieve healthier building systems.
- Auditing existing interior spaces and suggesting improvements to make them healthier, as well as advising on the design of future spaces.
Friendly Materials® is a registered methodology that has evolved into a website designed to facilitate the analysis of the impact of an interior space on people's health.
You can visit www.friendlymaterials.com