Rx For A Better Home: Philadelphia’s Healthy Rowhouse Project

Authors

Kiki Bolender, AIA, LEED AP, Principal at Bolender ArchitectsFollow

Document Type

Podcast

Presentation Date

12-9-2015

Comments

PowerPoint slides at bottom of the page along with Fact Sheet for Healthy Row House Project

Abstract

Kiki is principal at Bolender Architects, where current projects include renovations to a City of Philadelphia Health Care Center in the Northeast. She is a Board member of AIA Philadelphia and the Women's Humane Society, and is chair of the Design Advocacy Group.

The goal of the Healthy Rowhouse Project is to create a robust housing policy in the next administration that includes repair and preservation of existing rowhouses, to improve residents' health (with an emphasis on removing asthma triggers), and to provide good quality affordable homes. AIA Philadelphia is promoting Active Design Guidelines to combat obesity and diabetes by encouraging people to enjoy more physical movement in their buildings and communities.

In this forum presentation, Kiki discussed the unique qualities of the Philadelphia rowhouse neighborhoods and how they encourage fitness and social interactions. She identified what other cities are doing to support repairs to houses in low-income neighborhoods to minimize water intrusion and the subsequent asthma triggers caused by damp and mold. Lastly, Kiki described how medical professionals use the Healthy Rowhouse Project to become "trusted partners" in referring low-income clients for help in removing barriers to good health from their homes.

Presentation: 40:28

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