Investigating and influencing how buildings affect health: Interdisciplinary endeavours.

Evidence is mounting that conditions in buildings can influence health; current topics include indoor exposures to lighting, noise, and chemicals; the availability of windows; and, overall housing quality. These findings have had limited influence on building design, construction, and operation, in part because of limited interaction between the relevant disciplines. Barriers to interdisciplinary research and communication include disciplinary culture, language differences, and institutional policies. Researchers who overcome such barriers may influence building practice through participating in the development of codes, standards, and regulations and by developing design guidance.