Sarah Barnard’s approach to designing for individuals with chemical sensitivities is rooted in environmental health, focusing on creating sanctuaries that support physical and emotional well-being. As a WELL and LEED-accredited designer, she prioritizes design strategies to reduce environmental triggers.  

Olfactory Neutrality and Air Quality

No-VOC and Low-VOC Materiality: Natural building materials, NO-VOC paints, water-based finishes, and adhesives.

Scent-Free Environments: Fragrance-free protocols during every phase of the design and construction process.

Advanced Air Purification: High-performance air filtration systems such as HEPA and activated carbon filters.

Laundry and Utility Room Isolation: Ventilated, isolated laundry rooms, mudrooms, and utility rooms can help prevent cross-contamination of air between utility areas and primary living spaces.

Material Integrity

Natural Textiles: Organic linen, hemp, wool, and cotton.  

Wood and Finishes: Solid wood furniture with finishes like natural oil, wax, or mineral-based paint.

Hard Surface Prioritization: Non-porous surfaces, such as glass and ceramic tile, to help reduce the accumulation of dust and environmental toxins.

Interactive Material Evaluation: The opportunity to personally engage with proposed material samples, including textiles, finishes, and hard surfaces. This process allows individuals to touch, smell, and live with the materials over time to observe potential personal interactions and determine comfort levels before procurement.

Whole-Home Water Purification: Comprehensive water filtration systems for drinking, bathing, and cleaning.

Advocacy and Project Coordination

Intermediary Services: The studio acts as a liaison between contractors and vendors to communicate environmental requirements and preferences for the management of chemicals, fragrances, and odors.

Collaborative Design Process: Scheduling meetings and site visits around the client’s health needs and routine to facilitate a low-stress, supportive environment.

Off-Site Off-Gassing Management: The storage and airing out of new furnishings in a climate-controlled, neutral environment for a designated period before delivery.