Presented by Eric Corey Freed, AIA, CannonDesign
CE Pending

Strong communities require a foundation of health. Yet, your zip code predicts longevity more than genetics or lifestyle. Amidst rising climate volatility, the built environment must transition from a passive backdrop to an active health intervention.

This session redefines "Creating Community" through health equity and collective resilience. We move beyond the $800 billion annual cost of air pollution to explore how integrated teams leverage design to heal the community "commons." Attendees gain a practical toolkit for AI-enabled site analysis and hyper-local data to model outcomes in Oregon’s vulnerable census tracts. By examining how electrification, biophilic design, and material transparency (LEED, WELL, Fitwel) mitigate "dirty dozen" pollutants, we empower practitioners to use their specification power to uplift communities. Through case studies, we demonstrate how designing for health is the ultimate act of creating an equitable, resilient future.