Thea Kurdi

Livable Canada

Thea Kurdi

Vice President, Accessibility & Universal Design Specialist, Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (CPABE) - Level II Advanced (IAAP)

Inclusive Housing Design for those with Environmental Sensitivities (ES) 

What is one of the most overlooked aspects of designing inclusive, livable homes? In this presentation, Thea Kurdi discusses the importance of designs that also work for those with environmental sensitivities (ES). ES is a broad term to identify the disabilities of multiple chemical sensitivities, asthma, allergies and many more. These sensitivities can be impacted by air quality, materials, finishes, and scents. First, an overview of the sources of ES in an evolving world captivated with fragrance and learning to live with issues related to climate change. This presentation will also identify what our legislation provides to protect the health of people with ES. Second, health and wellness standards like the WELL Building Standard will also be discussed in the context of protecting the health of people living with ES. Finally, the presentation will delve into what design measures can be taken (using practical examples) to ensure the health and wellness of home owners and their guests. As always, Thea’s presentation will conclude with a list of resources to support further learning about ES and accessible design.


BIO

Thea Kurdhas over 20 years of experience specializing in barrier-free and universal design for architectural projects of varying size and complexity. As an educator, she is frequently a guest speaker at lectures for design students, including at Waterloo School of Architecture, Ryerson University School of Architecture and George Brown College Interior Design. She is a member and instructor at the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada teaching about Successful Accessible Design. Thea has focused her career on helping clients understand what usable accessibility means, how universal design is better design for everyone, and how to achieve the Human Rights Code.