At Architectural Design Group, we always start with materials that are free of toxic chemicals.

Some of you may be thinking: “Isn’t that a given? Don’t all designers use toxin-free materials?” The answer is a flat no. In fact, many commonly used construction materials include chemicals that are harmful to human health; some of them may surprise you. Standard plywood contains formaldehyde, because formaldehyde is great at helping things keep their shape and no one likes warped plywood. It’s also used to preserve organic tissue in laboratory settings. Our waste water pipes contain up to 9% lead, which can be leeched into the water returning to our rivers and lakes. There are a number of other toxins commonly used in construction materials, including PVC. You can read the Red List and see for yourself.

In light of the prevalence of materials that could harm our health, The Living Futures Institute has created a vetting system to help designers and owners make healthy material choices; it’s called Declare. Declare products are essentially an exchange of toxic materials for non-toxic materials. We still use plywood and waste water pipes, just ones that use cleaner ingredients and processes. Using this ever-growing list of products as a launching point, we can take a step towards cleaner indoor air, reducing the amount of toxins accumulating in the environment, and begin to experience what a healthy space can feel like. If you would like to learn more, I would encourage you to explore the links in this article and decide for yourself what role these types of materials might play in your next project.