The Breathing Home

Introduction

We breathe without thinking about it — roughly fifteen thousand litres of air each day. But have you ever paused to consider what’s in that air, especially the air inside your home?

This path is for those drawn to understanding the invisible: the quality of the air we breathe, the moisture that moves through our walls, the subtle exchange between inside and out that makes a home feel fresh or stale, healthy or somehow not quite right.

Indoor air quality is one of those topics that sounds technical but affects us profoundly. The paint on your walls, the finish on your floors, even the glue holding your furniture together — all of these release compounds into your air. Some dissipate quickly; others linger for months or years. Understanding what matters, and what you can actually change, is surprisingly empowering.

You’ll also discover that air quality isn’t just about what’s released into your home — it’s about how your home breathes. The concept of breathable materials, walls that can absorb and release moisture rather than trapping it, opens up a different way of thinking about buildings entirely. It’s the difference between a sealed box and a living system.

Over these ten pieces, we’ll move from understanding the problem to exploring solutions — from the kitchen (often your home’s most polluted room) to the bedroom (where air quality during sleep matters most). You’ll learn what VOCs actually are, why humidity balance affects everything from your comfort to your walls’ longevity, and how natural materials can actively contribute to cleaner air rather than simply avoiding harm.

By the end, you’ll think about your home’s air differently. And that awareness is the first breath of change.

Your Journey