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50 | J U N E 2 0 2 5 Sustainable Design Strategies PHOTOGR APHY COURTESY WSP + ARCHITEC TURE49 ;RENDERING BY MOTIV ARCHITEC TS INC ./COURTESY RJC Bold solutions are redefining sustainable design by NATALIE BRUCKNER S ustainability in the built environ- ment isn't a static goal – it's a moving target. As cities grow and chal- lenges mount, the industry is racing to stay ahead, blending technol- ogy, function, and environmental responsibility in bold new ways. This year's experts weigh in on the latest strategies shap- ing the future. It's fair to say that sustainability is no longer a niche pursuit – it's embedded in modern design. "Efficiency is at the core of everything we do now," says Terry Bergen, managing principal at RJC. "Today's buildings are highly efficient in form, structure, and envelope, allowing for optimized mechanical and electrical systems. Adding renew- ables enhances resiliency, whether managing power outages or adapting to climate change. Material choices also reflect regional priorities, from non-combustible elements to fire-resistant landscape strategies." Importantly, sustainable design doesn't require LEED, Passive House, or Living Building Challenge certification – though these are increasingly the norm. Bergen sees sustainability integrated into nearly every project, and not just in Canada. "One of our biggest U.S. clients is based in Houston, Texas – a state known for deregulation. But they are fully committed to sustainable, resilient buildings because it's the right business decision. They care about the planet, but they also recognize that effi- ciency and durability make financial sense." A recent standout RJC project in B.C. is with the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust led by MOTIV Architects that aims for minimal environmental impact via the Living Building Challenge. Although RJC's focus is on the resilient high-performance envelope, Bergen notes the particular importance of water conserva- tion and resiliency. Given Tofino's summer droughts, there is special attention from the project team to the Water Petal to reduce reliance on municipal water. Another growing trend is biomimicry – drawing inspiration from nature's efficiencies. Bergen high- lights Christine Lintott Architects, which integrates biomimetic principles into their designs, using nature's solutions to enhance performance. "Nature has already solved many design challenges – we're learning to apply those solutions in architecture and engineering," he says. CLIMATE RESILIENCE At WSP, one trend they continue to see is the grow- ing emphasis on climate-resilient design, which is now a standard expectation across projects. "Our design experts work closely with clients to tailor cli- mate resilience strategies that consider the unique Time To Flourish Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Centre for Plant Health, Burnaby, B.C. The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust project, Tofino, B.C.

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