Strange Bedfellows: Germs and Architecture

Shaunacy Ferro shares news of a study out of the University of Oregon that makes a detailed account of the variety of bacteria that inhabit the different surfaces and environments of buildings.

“Scientists haven't yet begun to pinpoint exactly which types of bacteria are good for our health, but when they do, architecture could play a key role in exposing us to the good bacteria, and keeping us away from the bad,” writes Ferro.

According to study co-author James Meadow, the findings of the report will enable architects to design buildings that influence the types of bacteria encountered by users. “Instead of just sterilizing the environment, we’ll actually manage our buildings in a more sensible way."