In this episode of the Building Heroes podcast, host Julia Day introduces the International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy and Buildings in Communities Programme (EBC) Annex 95 and Users TCP: Human-Centric Buildings for a Changing Climate, referred to as the Human-Centric Buildings Network, or simply “the Network”. Joined by fellow Operating Agents Liam O’Brien (Carleton University), Zoltan Nagy (TU Eindhoven), and Marianne Touchie (University of Toronto), the conversation explores how buildings must better respond to human needs as climate change, extreme events, and the energy transition reshape daily life.

The guests share their backgrounds in human–building interaction, energy flexibility, and multifamily building performance, and break down what an IEA “annex” actually is and how this international network is structured. The discussion spans four core themes (human–building interactions, community-scale equity and sufficiency, building design and retrofit, and building operation), highlighting current research on building interfaces, behavioral nudging, and closing the loop between design intent and post-occupancy performance. The episode closes with reflections on the power of global, interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle wicked problems and advance healthier, more resilient, and energy-efficient buildings.

Our journal paper introducing the Network: Energy and Buildings article entitled “Human-centric buildings for a changing climate: Introducing a new International Energy Agency research network,” has just been published: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116802

Where to Learn more!

• IEA EBC Annex 95 and Users TCP - Human-Centric Buildings for a Changing Climate Website: https://annex95.iea-ebc.org/
• Interested in participating? Join our e-mail distribution list via the website homepage, listed above.
• Need to contact us? Questions? Contact us at iea.human.centric@gmail.com

The Institute for Health in the Built Environment aims to develop innovative design concepts that create healthier inhabited spaces. It achieves this by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across architecture, biology, medicine, chemistry, and engineering, translating research into practical design, construction, and building operations through a network of engaged industry partners. Recognizing that the current understanding of what constitutes a “healthy building” is fragmented and often poorly reflected in practice, the Institute pursues an integrated approach to research and application, promoting health at multiple scales, from individual occupants to the broader planetary environment. This podcast explores energy efficiency and building systems affect on humans in the built environment.

The Integrated Design Lab conducts research to advance knowledge and policies that promote healthier, high-performing buildings and cities. By measuring and analyzing both modeled and real building performance data, the Lab helps the industry improve building design and operations. Its research focuses on energy efficiency, daylighting, electric lighting, occupant behavior, human health and productivity, and advanced building management systems.

This podcast examines systems and applications in which the UW IDL promotes energy efficiency and decarbonization in buildings across our Region.