NeoCon and Design Days: Healthier Indoor Spaces

We have had an exciting week at NeoCon and Design Days in Chicago, meeting Certified clients and colleagues, attending industry events and emphasizing the critical role of science, research, and education and standards in creating healthier indoor environments. Our participation in these events built on the momentum of our work at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference and the signing of the The International Healthy Building Accord

Design Days

From June 10–12, over 40,000 design professionals gathered in the Fulton Market District for Chicago’s Design Days. Our Certified client Tarkett hosted several educational sessions in its showroom, providing valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations in commercial design. These sessions facilitated meaningful conversations about creating healthier indoor spaces.

One of the standout events featured our CEO, Dr. John McKeon, who participated in a panel discussion titled “Building Inclusive Futures: Health Equity and Community-Centric Design.” Dr. McKeon, along with Denge Agola from Smith Group and Ian Hughes from RUSH University Medical Center, discussed the importance of community-centric design. Moderated by Roxane Spears, Vice President of Sustainability at Tarkett North America, the panel explored how design can transform community health outcomes.

L-R: Arnaud Marquis, Dr. John McKeon, Fabrice Barthélemy, Denge Agola, Ian Hughes, Roxane Spears, Beth Doehner

NeoCon

Jamie Dwyer, Steve Kooy, Dr. John McKeon, Leah McInerney

NeoCon, the premier event for the commercial interior design industry since 1969, served as an essential learning hub with numerous CEU sessions. The iAIR Institute was proud to launch a virtual session, “Designing a Healthier Exposome for Building Occupants [HSW].” This session explores the vital connection between indoor air quality and occupant health, offering practical approaches inspired by the indoor “exposome” concept. The session collaborative solutions that bridge architecture, engineering, building management, and medicine, focusing on standards such as ASHRAE 241. 

Login to the NeoCon Learning Hub between June 10 and September 13 to access our course and earn CEUs.

The event also provided an excellent networking opportunity, reconnecting with key industry figures like Matthew J. De Geeter from the American Society of Interior Designers, Whitney Austin Gray from the IWBI, and Steve Kooy from BIFMA.

American Institute of Architects (AIA)

The launch of the virtual learning session at NeoCon built on the momentum of our recent participation at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference in New York, where we announced that our course, “Medical Impact of Poor Indoor Air Quality,” has been approved for continuing education credits by American Institute of Architects (AIA). This milestone is significant in our mission to enhance indoor air quality (IAQ) education. This course educates participants on how building environments impact human health. By the end of the course, attendees are equipped to apply these principles in their professional practice, contributing to healthier built environments.

The AIA’s 2024 Strategic Council emphasized the ethical imperative of optimizing health and well-being in building design. The recognition of architects’ role in occupant health reinforces the importance of continuing education on indoor air quality and its impact on health.

The International Healthy Building Accord

Our participation in NeoCon and Design Days in Chicago align with our commitment as a signatory of the International Healthy Building Accord. This initiative, drawn up by the IWBI, unites global leaders to prioritize healthier buildings. By bridging industries and integrating scientific research with practical strategies, we contribute to a roadmap for healthier built environments worldwide.

Participation in NeoCon and Design Days, and at the AIA Conference the previous week has helped strengthen our relationships and raise awareness around indoor air quality . These efforts enhance our understanding of the built environment’s impact on health and promote innovative solutions prioritizing human well-being and environmental sustainability. Allergy Standards Limited and the iAIR Institute remain committed to leading the charge in creating healthier indoor spaces through science, research, and education.