Your Building Isn't Making You Sick by Accident — Why Comfort, Air Quality & Building Science Are Designed, Not Discovered – Episode 147 with Sarah Gudeman
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Sarah Gudeman, mechanical engineer at BranchPattern, for a thought-provoking conversation about building science, indoor environmental quality, and why truly great buildings are designed around human outcomes—not just mechanical systems. Drawing on her expertise in sustainability, healthy buildings, and building performance, Sarah explains how air quality, thermal comfort, moisture management, daylight, acoustics, and resilience must work together to create spaces where people can genuinely thrive.
The discussion explores everything from health-based and value-based sustainability to high-performance building envelopes, HVAC design, Passive House principles, glazing strategies, occupant comfort, and the evolving relationship between architecture and engineering. Sarah also shares why collaboration early in the design process is essential, how resilient buildings provide long-term business value, the hidden impact of bird-friendly design, and why the best engineering solutions often become invisible when they're working exactly as intended.
It's an inspiring conversation about rethinking building performance through a human-centered lens—and a reminder that the world's greatest buildings aren't simply energy efficient or technologically advanced. They're the ones that quietly disappear into the background, creating healthy, comfortable, resilient environments that allow people to focus less on the building itself and more on living, learning, and doing their best work every day.
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More About Sarah Gudeman
Sarah Gudeman is a Mechanical Engineer, Principal, and Practice Lead at BranchPattern, where she focuses on improving building performance through the lens of human health, indoor air quality, and value-driven sustainability. She’s nationally recognized for translating complex engineering challenges into practical solutions that measurably improve how people feel, function, and thrive in buildings.
A frequent speaker and industry volunteer, Sarah plays an active role in shaping the future of sustainable design. As a LEED Fellow and WELL Faculty member, her work connects carbon, energy, materials, and human well-being to create healthier, more resilient spaces. Based in Omaha, Sarah is guided by a lifelong commitment to stewardship and a shared mission with BranchPattern: Improving Life through Better Built Environments®.
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