HEALTH-HAZARDS IN THE USE OF BUILDINGS

The paper addresses the question of what is a 'healthy' building, and whether the definition normally expressed in terms of occupant well-being has changed over a period of time. This definition is considered in relation to the relevant physical correlates, and suggested that they support the idea of the light, airy building. Air quality is then investigated to see how it can be, and perhaps more importantly how it is, incorporated into current solutions. Two design approaches are suggested from which a decision can be made as to use and profit from the shape of buildings; these are climatically rejecting and climatically interactive, and the use of either can result in solutions of differing orders of technical complexity. Finally it is suggested that some of these orders of complexity of solution are more difficult to operate healthily than others, and indications are given of possible ways ahead.