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J U N E 2 0 2 3 | 37 Sustainable Design Strategies to cut 400 annual tonnes carbon emissions, while minimizing embodied carbon inputs and making the buildings safer, healthier, and better prepared for the com- ing impacts of climate change. One topic that is really taking hold this year, and one that Ehlert is excited about, is regenerative design – buildings that have a net-positive impact on the natural environment. "It moves past sustainable design. It looks at bigger system thinking and contributes to a positive change rather than keeping the status quo. The work we did on Crown Manor in New Westminster for the Reframed Initiative very much looked at regenerative design. I think it's a term you will see being used more and more. What works today, might not work tomorrow, and this kind of thinking will help us stay ahead of the game." TALL BUILDINGS WSP is well-known for its commitment to finding sustainable solutions to future challenges, and as such has once again been recognized in Corporate Knights' 2022 list of Best Corporate Citizens in Canada – recognizing its social and environ- mental leadership, for the second consecutive year. One area of focus for WSP moving forward is finding solutions to design more practical, sustainable, and livable tall buildings, and in turn reducing carbon in tall buildings. "We must consider how tall buildings in the future can be more sustainable, and perhaps the aim in new construction will be to break new boundaries and achieve great projects that do not simply aim to achieve record-breaking heights but record-breaking results and positive impacts for communities or environ- ment. To be using the vast amount of funds, construction materials, and expertise that large buildings require, it should now be ensured they are constructed with the future in mind, with positive impacts and outcomes secured, and without compromising the vital goal to limit global warming to 1.5 ˚c," explains WSP. By assessing different building types and materials, WSP has been able to demonstrate how different design parameters impact the amount of upfront carbon. Among the solutions is a focus on the most efficient methods of new build construction, the use of lower carbon materials like timber and reused steel, and best practice examples of high-rise building refurbishment and retrofit. "Our buildings experts are constantly striving to achieve the ideal in vertical urbanism. We are committed to making a positive impact, and as such, we want to design buildings that bring so much more than just height to a city. From improving sustainability and operational performance, to nurturing occupants' well-being and connecting communities, we all need to design and deliver buildings more holistically to create lasting value," says Tom Smith, global direc- tor, property and buildings. DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES The advancement of technology has undoubtedly played a big role in advancing sustainable design. Introba, one of the world's largest building engineering and consulting firms (formerly Integral Group, Ross & Baruzzini, Elementa Consulting, and Elementa Engineering), is creating Living Systems that are intelligent, resilient built environments that adapt to the needs of the commu- nity, while protecting the health of the planet. "We recognize that business-as-usual engineering will not future-proof against the impact on our planet's resources or ensure human safety and comfort. Introba has a deep culture of creative engineering aligned with environmental and technological challenges facing their clients, projects, and society," says Bill Overturf, president. For Introba, focussing on the digital opportunities provides them an oppor- tunity to create future-flexible systems that elevate the human experience, optimize system performance, and nurture the connection to the environment. To help meet the increasing demand for sustainable design, Introba estab- lished a dedicated group of digital navigators to help clients understand the trends and create customized, adaptive technology plans that guide implemen- tation and operations. From intelligent buildings to AI and mixed reality, digital navigators map client processes to the right technologies and systems to deliver a positive impact now and into the future. In addition to cutting-edge design and smart technology integration, Introba remains at the vanguard of climate resilience strategy, providing proven stra- tegic direction and engineering solutions to deliver healthy, high-performing spaces where occupants and communities can thrive. "An integrated approach to buildings and infrastructure is essential for climate action and sustainable development. We must be on a clear path to decarbonize by 2050 and have made significant progress by 2030. Introba has the depth and breadth of expertise and experience to make real changes in our planetary future," says Richard Palmer, director, global sustainability. ARCHITECTUR AL VIEWPOINT Sustainable design continues to be front and centre in the health-care industry with increasing focus being placed on biophilic architecture's benefits for well- being and health. Leading the charge on this is Parkin, who recently took part in the Canadian Healthcare Facilities Decarbonizing Healthcare Research study. Different methods were considered to help reduce the fact that a staggering 5.25 percent of Canada's total emissions are from health care. Parkin was also recently awarded the South Niagara Hospital Project – the first WELL Accredited health-care facility in Canada. "This project will focus on promoting well-being and the health of its occupants," explains Taraah Den Boer, associate at Parkin. "Our team is very excited to be working on this project because it encompasses both the exterior envelope, site design, and interior design of the space, with an increased focus occupant comfort and well-being." The government's commitment to developing a Low Carbon Health System by 2050 has increased the literacy of low carbon initiatives within the health- care sector, but challenges remain, such as a lack of funding for low carbon strategies, insufficient planning at early phases of design, incompatibility between low carbon initiatives and highly regulated health-care environments, and a hesitation to test innovative new technologies/care delivery models in risk-averse health-care settings. "Only through meaningful innovation will health-care facilities be able to reach the 2050 targets. Using smaller projects, health-care facilities should be provided with the opportunities to test new technologies and partnerships, with opportunities to revise and respond to lessons learned from the adoption of new technologies, care delivery models," says Den Boer. Prairie Architects continues to make progress with its first Passive House project, the Bannerman Green Housing Co-op project – a community-based initiative to create zero-energy housing in Winnipeg's St. John's neighbourhood. In reality, achieving Passive House certification isn't an easy process in Canada due to the high energy performance requirements as well as the additional expense, as Lindsay Oster, principal architect, explains: "We are still in the very early stages of the Passive House project, but the project is also pursuing the Living Building Challenge through the International Living Future Institute, so there are a lot of moving parts! Building within an existing urban neighbourhood on a tight site in Winnipeg's extreme climate leaves little flexibility in the project's 'energy budget,' and so the design team is working through the many challenges." Once complete, the project will become a replicable prototype of a functional, sustainable housing ecosystem and a beacon of inspiration for the rental market. Oster says that while the research and science is indeed out there to achieving a sustainable future, in all senses of the word, that "in order to move the dial in a meaningful way, certified systems and materials need to be more widely available and robust financial tools need to be accessible to owners to be able to increase performance of new and existing buildings." FINDING THE ENERGY FortisBC remains committed to taking steps to help builders and developers achieve higher levels of the Energy Step Code with their new construction programs. Most recently, FortisBC completed a number of case studies with B.C. home builders to understand the tactics needed to reduce total energy requirements in new homes. For example, Tyee Homes, a home builder in Kimberley B.C., worked along- side a FortisBC energy advisor to improve the energy efficiency in their homes. One of the homes, which was located within a seven-unit duplex development, achieved Step 5, the highest level of the B.C. Energy Step Code, by incorporat- ing passive solar design, a high level of airtightness, and a high-efficiency gas combination space and water heating system. The Wilden Living Lab is another excellent illustration of how FortisBC is collaborating with the building industry to create more energy-efficient homes. The combined use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and electricity in the Wilden Living Lab demonstrates how both energy sources play a key role in B.C.'s GHG emissions reduction strategy. FortisBC's new construction rebates, such as the New Home Program that began in 2011, are helping encourage builders to create more sustainable homes with improved building envelopes and high-efficiency equipment and appliances. In an effort to continue its goal to help reach B.C.'s climate targets, FortisBC filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission in 2021 to ensure that every newly constructed home connecting to the gas system would automatically receive 100 percent Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for the lifespan of the building. If approved, this initiative would give all British Columbians a choice for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in their new homes. A

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