Air Quality, Healthy Buildings, and Human Well-Being: A Conversation with Michael Don Ham

In this episode of Air Quality Matters, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael D. Ham , a passionate advocate for a holistic approach to air quality, technology design, and human health. Our conversation touched on the important role our built environments play in shaping our well-being, particularly in the evolving landscape of work-from-home culture. Michael's insights offer a refreshing perspective on how we can improve indoor air quality (IAQ) to enhance our health and productivity.

A New Era for Home and Workspaces

The pandemic has permanently shifted how we think about workspaces. For many of us, home and office are now intertwined, and companies are adapting. While some are calling their employees back to the office, others are recognising the need to make remote work healthier and more sustainable. Michael mentioned how some forward-thinking companies are starting to equip their remote workers with air quality monitors, helping ensure that even when working from home, employees are breathing clean air.

Michael pointed out that "you can't manage properly what you don't measure accurately." That simple idea has profound implications for IAQ. Companies that care about their employees' health are beginning to realise that air quality, much like ergonomic chairs or proper lighting, is essential to productivity.

Healthy Buildings: More Than Just Workspaces

Michael’s work with the International WELL Building Institute has given him valuable insight into how wellness is becoming a key factor in both commercial and residential spaces. The WELL standard, which certifies healthy buildings, is already well-established in the commercial space, with over 6 billion square feet certified globally. However, I was particularly intrigued when he mentioned that WELL has started a pilot program for residential certification. It’s an exciting development that reflects a growing awareness of how important indoor air quality is at home—not just at work.

One point that really stood out to me was Michael’s observation that, increasingly, developers are branding their projects as wellness communities or wellness developments. This shift in focus, from merely providing housing to creating spaces that actively support human health, could have far-reaching effects, particularly as more people spend significant time working from home.

The Bigger Picture: Air Quality and Human Health

As Michael and I discussed, it's not just about commercial office spaces or luxury homes—air quality impacts everyone. What’s especially exciting is seeing the seeds of this awareness starting to take root across all sectors, from affordable housing to high-end developments. Michael emphasised that true change will likely come through more regulations or code requirements around IAQ.

I was reminded of the importance of making the invisible visible. Michael noted how air and water quality are often out of sight and, therefore, out of mind. Many people simply aren’t aware of the contaminants they're exposed to daily. This is where monitoring comes in—by making it easy to see air and water quality levels in real-time, people can start to make better choices for their health and well-being.

The Future of Wellness in the Built Environment

As we wrapped up, we reflected on the long-term trends. The movement towards wellness real estate is growing, with some studies showing a compound annual growth rate of 16%. This is encouraging for those of us who see health as an integral part of building design, not just a nice-to-have.

Michael’s work with developers and his perspective on IAQ systems made me think about how we can integrate better solutions into everyday spaces. From automated air filtration to humidity control, the technology is available, but the question remains—how do we make it accessible to everyone? It’s clear that this shift is already happening, but the coming years will show whether it becomes the norm.

I always find these discussions inspiring, and this conversation with Michael Don Ham was no exception. His holistic view of human health, from the air we breathe to the spaces we inhabit, challenges us to rethink how we live and work. If we can start prioritising air quality and well-being in our homes and offices, I believe we’ll see a massive shift in how we think about health.

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