Poor IAQ diminishes as levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) increase, each with measurable impacts to human health. The potential for Indoor Air Quality issues and related health impacts to be addressed through building-integrated phytoremediation systems is an active and evolving area of research.

At Yale CEA, we are researching the relationships between urban form and building design, and the development of novel air handling and temperature control systems, so that we can combine cutting edge material sciences with the profound wisdom of ancient vernacular architectures that deftly worked with local materials, shapes and climate flows to create comfortable healthy environments through nature-based solutions. Today, we have tremendous density and requirements that call for both innovation as well as a reconsideration of much indigeounous knowledge of natural processes that was often eschewed in the modern era for mechanical and electrical solutions.