Redefining Our Identity

This year, our transition to Habitable represented more than a name change—it embodies our new vision: All people and the planet thrive when the materials economy is in balance with Earth’s natural systems. . This new identity reflects our team’s capabilities and our evolution towards a more comprehensive approach to creating a path to planetary health. The rebrand has enabled us to activate our mission more broadly, setting the stage for deep engagement with new audiences, and more effective communication of our vision for a healthier planet.

Expanding Our Research Footprint

In 2024, Habitable’s research revealed critical connections between building materials and planetary health. Our groundbreaking policy brief, Buildings’ Hidden Plastic Problem, reported a startling reality: the building and construction sector is the second-largest consumer of plastics globally, behind packaging. This research advances our work among global audiences, reshaping the conversation around plastic pollution by highlighting a crucial opportunity to reduce fossil fuel demand through better building practices. We deepened this investigation through our fact sheet Our Disposable Plastic Buildings, developed in partnership with Perkins&Will, and engaged industry leaders through our webinar Buildings Contribution to Global Plastic Crisis.

Beyond our pioneering work on plastics, we expanded our research to address planetary health challenges across various scales. Our report, Advancing Health and Equity through Better Building Products, highlights examples of leaders within and beyond Minnesota’s built environment who are taking action toward safer material choices and provides guidance on how the real estate industry can begin working towards a healthier future. A joint article with SERA Architects, Healthy Materials and the Constitutional Responsibility for Health and Wellbeing, emphasizes the need to prioritize solutions that address both climate change and toxic pollution in frontline communities. Meanwhile, our webinar Redesigning the Materials Economy for People and Our Planet convened global thought leaders to explore systemic solutions to these same challenges. These interconnected initiatives have positioned Habitable at the forefront of research linking building materials to both environmental and human health outcomes, setting the stage for even deeper investigations in 2025.

Building Stronger Partnerships

Transformative partnerships defined our work in 2024. With support from Beyond Petrochemicals, we launched an innovative research exploring the significant human and environmental impacts from plastics use in the building sector. This collaboration enabled us to  highlight the necessity of including the built environment in plastic policy considerations, marking our entry into the global effort to reduce plastic pollution, including a partnership with Dr. Bethanie Carney Almorth, who is involved in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. Our growing network of partners—from universities, corporations, government agencies to NGOs—has enriched our approach and expanded our capacity to drive meaningful change.

Growing Our Community

The Habitable team expanded in 2024, welcoming Priya Premchandran, a seasoned sustainability practitioner with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of the built environment and human health, who has already shaped our InformedTM initiative in profound ways. Our presence at major conferences and leading firms across the country–including Greenbuild, Verge, CannonDesign, AIA MN, USGBC Green Schools and more–positioned us within crucial discussions about material health impacts, while our convening a community of practice in Minnesota participation helped forge new connections with built environment innovators, like the Lower Sioux Community. These engagements have not only elevated our voice in key conversations but have also informed our strategic direction.

Looking Ahead

2025 marks Habitable’s 25th anniversary year. The foundations we’ve built in 2024–our strategic rebrand, renewed research focus, strengthened partnerships, and expanded community–position us to pursue our mission and vision with renewed vigor.

The challenges facing planetary health demand bold action and fresh thinking. Through our work, Habitable remains committed to catalyzing the transformative changes needed for a more sustainable and equitable future. 

If you have appreciated our resources and efforts, please consider a donation. We look forward to working with you in the new year!