Design for Health by MindClick is the new digital studio for healthy interiors developed for our Interior Design community to empower, inspire, and promote health and wellness through design.
Moncur Design Associates Inc. was privileged to be a part of the beta testing group for this app and website; the only Canadian firm to do so. By incorporating feedback from our community and tailoring their platform they have created a comprehensive online space for clients, designers, and vendors to learn more about sustainability and how they can design their projects with health in mind.
As designers we can submit our projects along with detailed documentation of FF&E and Base Building finishes along with drawings and other construction documents for rating. After analyzing many impact metrics (Manufacturing - both Social and Environmental, Packaging, Distribution, Facilities, Health, End of Use, Raw Materials and Chemicals) and comparing within their database of vendors, each project, if scoring highly enough can be ranked as a Starter, Achiever or Leader.
Most recently the project we had rated was The Westin New Orleans Canal Place which ranked as an Achiever scoring 158/200 possible points.
The most impactful details about our project are that out of the products rated, 88% are made using recycled, sustainably harvested, recovered, or reclaimed materials. 50% of the products have 3rd Party certifications assuring products are free from chemicals of concern. 100% of the products rated contribute to reducing energy, water and or waste at the hotel and contribute to improved indoor air quality and/or reduced toxins.
Some key features that are included in the Guestrooms specifically are the Shaw Contract Carpet and the Wall Mural by Farmboy Fine Art.
The carpet has 11.8% pre-consumer recycled content. Healthier indoor air quality and avoidance of chemicals of concern for this product, is backed by Cradle to Cradle and Green Label Plus certifications.
The mural is produced with environmental responsibility in mind, including energy use tracking and reduction efforts in manufacturing. It also had options for reduced packaging volume to minimize waste.
Both products feature 100% recyclable interior and exterior packaging which aids in energy conservation efforts in the manufacturing process.
Other vendors that helped contribute to our Achiever rating are Dal-Tile, Interface Hospitality, ISA International, Masland Carpets, P/Kaufmann, PI Fine Art, Sponge Cushion, Porcelanosa and Valley Forge.
We would like to also note that while not all vendors used in this project are yet part of the platform, the other products included and specified by our team are always vetted for as much sustainability features as possible.
We are very proud of this project and all the wonderful achievements it has made on a sustainability and environmental level. We will continue to always focus on creating safe, comfortable, and healthy spaces and try to lead by example in our industry. Thank you, Design for Heath, for helping us dig deeper into the facts behind our project and for giving us ideas for the future!