We Built Sick Buildings: How AI and Automation Might Just Save Us – Ep 103 with Renée Jacobs
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski sits down with Renée Jacobs, healthcare sustainability powerhouse and leader at DisTech and Atrius, for a revealing conversation on how indoor air quality (IAQ) and building automation systems are shaping the future of human-centered design. From managing hospitals to spearheading cutting-edge AI integration, Renée brings a deep well of knowledge—and a few sharp truths. They explore why proper humidification might be the most overlooked health intervention, how AI and heat mapping could one day save lives in emergency evacuations, and what really changed in building science post-COVID. Plus, Renée challenges architects and engineers to think beyond design—to future-ready buildings that respond to people, not just spreadsheets. This episode is a wake-up call for anyone still thinking IAQ is just about filters.
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More About Renée Jacobs
Renée Jacobs is a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Healthcare Constructor and Fellow ASHE with more than 30 years and over $1 billion of experience in construction project management, healthcare facilities management and technical sales and management. Ms. Jacobs is the Business Development Manager – Healthcare for Distech Controls.
Formerly as Vice President of Facilities and Construction at Saint Luke’s Health System, Ms. Jacobs had oversight of all areas of design, construction, renovation, master planning, and plant operations and maintenance for 11 Kansas City area hospitals. Jacobs led the New Saint Luke’s $330 million capital construction project, successfully completing a portion of the project as the first integrated project delivery (IPD) project for the health system.
Ms. Jacobs is an active member of ASHE, serving as faculty, professional reputation committee chair and several task forces. She is active in the local ASHE chapter, the Kansas City Area Healthcare Engineers (KCAHE) and has served on the board as president, past-president and secretary. Additionally, Ms. Jacobs is a founding board member of LEAN KC, a chapter of the Lean Construction Institute, is a member of the University of Nebraska Construction Industry Advisory Committee and the Overland Park Rotary Club.
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