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J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 25 Sustainable Design Strategies R EN D ER I N G CO U RT E S Y B+H A RC H I T EC T S/ PA R K I N A RC H I T EC T S W E S T ER N LT D. I N J O I N T V EN T U R E Forward-thinking sustainable design strategies plan to ensure buildings are resilient to change, no matter how extreme by NATALIE BRUCKNER O nce considered an afterthought, sustainable design strategies are now front of mind when it comes to new builds and renovation projects. While reg- ulations have influenced this change, it's so much more than that. It's the experts in the industry who are in the driving seat with their innovative thinking and pas- sion to reduce our footprint. Case in point, Jamie Miller, director of Biomimicry at B+H Architects, who believes the answer to true sustainable design can be found right in front of our eyes. "My belief is that the most effec- tive – and inexpensive – path for mitigating climate change is to support ecosystem services. In our tech- nological advancements as a species, it seems that we have forgotten that the most effective technolo- gies for carbon sequestration, storm management, energy dissipation, air and water filtration, noise reduction, temperature control, and general envi- ronmental stability, is nature," explains Miller. Drilling down deeper, Miller says that any project that harmoniously integrates the built and natu- ral environments and shifts our perspective, or improves the ecological performance of a site, is a good strategy for moving forward. B+H Architects is working on just such a project in India. The goal was to create a building that was a contribution to its place. To measure its success, B+H focused on ecological performance metrics. "We measured the ecological performance of the site as is [pre-construction] and compared that to the perfor- mance of our proposed design. Overall, our design had better overland flow retention, we increased carbon sequestration, decreased noise and air pol- lution, produced more oxygen, and decreased the ambient temperature," says Miller. When it comes to the sectors where sustainable design strategies can have a greater impact, Parkin Architects Limited (Parkin) looks to healthcare. As the team at Parkin explain, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), 45 countries including Canada signed a commit- ment to make healthcare a global leader in the race to reach zero emissions. And as thought-leaders in healthcare design, Parkin sponsored and assisted in facilitating the recent Canadian Centre for Healthcare Facilities (CCHF) forum "Getting to Net Zero – Developing a Blueprint for Change." This forum specifically addressed the opportu- nities and challenges of reaching net zero. "Parkin believes that as hospitals provide healing environ- ments, we should therefore not engage in designing buildings that contribute to their ailment," says Shannon Wright, associate at Parkin "With current changes in architecture and health- care design, we are seeing new projects mandating LEED and WELL certifications. Other innovations found in projects like Corner Brook Acute Care Hospital include geothermal technology. PV panels, tight building envelopes, and efficient mechanical systems are also becoming standard approaches to developing design solutions," says Wright. As for challenges, Wright says that some of the big- gest facing healthcare design include: an initial capital investment; Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) standards that affect material and product selections; and heavy mechanical and electrical redundancy and load requirements to operate facilities. "Sustainability isn't a one-size-fits-all approach," explains Wright. Prairie architects inc., well known for its com- mitment to sustainable architecture, is excited to announce it was recently awarded its first Passive House project. The Bannerman Green Housing Co-op project is a scattered housing co-op in the centre of a mature urban neighbourhood in Winnipeg. It will provide a leadership role for sustainable multi-family resi- dential development, including deep retrofitting of existing buildings. "We feel this is exactly the kind of catalytic proj- ect for transformative change," says Lindsay Oster, principal architect. "The project is committed to building resilience to climate change and providing a roadmap for other projects to follow, encouraging mass adoption and replication." The project has lofty net-zero goals and is tar- geting Passive House, LEED, Living Building Challenge, and Zero Carbon Building certifications, among others. "The Bannerman Green Housing Co-op is steadfast in its sustainable commitment as it was founded on the principles of net-zero energy, carbon neutrality, beauty, sustainable education and advocacy, a right to nature, equity, health, fresh water, and food security," says Oster. As for the future, the team at Prairie understands that the biggest challenges ahead are associated with the magnitude and speed at which a massive shift to meaningful and sustained climate action needs to occur. "We know what to do – the science is clear, but it takes alliances and partnerships built around the narrative of positive environmental, financial, and social impact rather than fatalistic and forgone con- clusions. However, good narratives are not enough – discourse needs to be translated into action and this is where we need catalytic projects, which give early supporters entry points to collaborate, build networks of trust, and examples to aspire to, and eventually become the seeds of change. "We think it's these kinds of catalytic projects that can become the vehicles of transformative change necessary to address impacts of climate change," explains Oster. Over the past 12 months, interest in net zero has been growing exponentially, and not just on the Taking Cues From Nature Corner Brook Acute Care Hospital, Corner Brook, NL

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