A lot happens within the walls of our buildings. We work, study, learn, cook, play, sleep, and engage in countless other activities — all of which are better when the buildings we’re in keep us comfortable. Given that people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, buildings can have a big impact on our daily lives. However, they not only affect us — the users and occupants of those spaces — they also impact the world around us.
Considering all the things we want our buildings to do — for example, keep us warm or cool depending upon the season while saving energy and provide good indoor air quality while protecting us from the elements — we should design, build, and maintain them for peak efficiency and maximum durability.