Building a Sustainable Future:
Key Insights from IWBI Recharge Summit 2024
I recently had the privilege of speaking at the IWBI Recharge Summit 2024, where I joined fellow experts in discussing the future of building design. It was an inspiring event filled with insightful conversations about sustainability, health, and resilience in the built environment.
I was particularly excited to share my perspective on several key trends that are shaping the industry, including the role of AI in optimizing building performance, the importance of a circular economy approach to construction, and the need for greater social responsibility in design.
In this blog post, I'll recap some of the key takeaways from my panel discussions at the summit. Let's delve into the highlights and explore how we can collectively build a more sustainable and healthy future for all.
Building Longevity: A Focus on Maintenance and Adaptive Reuse
ATwo-thirds of today’s buildings will still be in use in 2050. Upgrades will be required to meet modern efficiency and emissions standards, as well as to attract tenants seeking wellness workspace attributes.
My response:
Maintenance is key to building longevity, as it enables buildings to consistently operate at peak efficiency and meet wellness standards. AI-driven predictive maintenance plays a critical role here, allowing us to monitor building systems in real time and address issues before they escalate. By combining this with adaptive reuse and designing for deconstruction rather than demolition, we can repurpose materials, reduce waste, and extend building lifespans. This approach aligns with sustainability goals, ensuring that buildings remain functional, resilient, and supportive of occupant well-being well into the future.
Circular Economy and Building Materials
Impact of building passports - data transparency and material reuse.
My response:
Future building materials are moving toward transparency and reuse, with building passports providing data on material origins and properties. This transparency can help overcome reactionary building codes that often favor petrochemical-based materials over sustainable options, enabling more environmentally responsible choices. Concrete, the second most consumed material in the world after water, presents a huge opportunity for improvement. By incorporating recycled concrete and other innovative materials, like cross-laminated timber and bioplastics, we can reduce environmental impact significantly. Building passports also help ensure that materials reused, especially in healing spaces, are non-toxic and recyclable. These trends, alongside materials designed for deconstruction, support a circular economy that minimizes waste and enhances occupant health.
AI and Design: A Powerful Partnership
AI & specific design software is transforming the design process.
My response:
While AI is often seen as a negative tool—associated with fake text or images—I use AI to create conceptual images that serve as powerful visual aids for my clients. But AI is so much more. It can analyze and remember large data sets, helping us make informed choices about materials by assessing embodied carbon and other sustainability factors. AI-driven simulations optimize layouts for energy efficiency, reducing heating, cooling, and lighting demands. Additionally, AI enhances building longevity through predictive maintenance, monitoring systems in real time to prevent issues before they arise. By customizing environments to occupant needs, AI supports wellness by improving air quality, lighting, and temperature, creating buildings that are both efficient and health-promoting.
Social Sustainability and Healthcare
There are a variety of sectors at the forefront of social sustainability, balancing ESG reporting demands with business success.
My Response:
Healthcare is increasingly leading in ESG by integrating sustainable practices that reflect a commitment to both environmental responsibility and community health. Hospitals are implementing energy-efficient systems, reducing waste, and incorporating renewable energy sources. Additionally, healthcare design now emphasizes biophilic elements that improve patient well-being, such as natural light and air-purifying plants, which contribute to recovery and mental health. As climate risks grow, healthcare systems are also adopting resilience measures to protect against extreme weather events, safeguarding patient care and community access. This approach balances immediate health needs with long-term environmental goals, setting a strong example of how other sectors can incorporate ESG practices that enhance both operational sustainability and societal impact.
Designing for the Future
Designing for the future relies on many assumptions based on political, economic, and environmental climates.
My Response:
In the next 10-15 years, health building design will need to be inclusive, adaptive, and resilient to meet the needs of an aging and increasingly diverse population. We must assume a growing demand for accessible spaces that support aging in place, while also accommodating the flexible work needs of a more remote and mobile workforce. Climate change will push for buildings that are climate-resilient, able to withstand extreme weather events, and ensure continuous care for patients during crises. AI and sustainable practices will play a vital role, allowing us to design spaces that are not only resource-efficient but also responsive to evolving health and environmental priorities. By anticipating these shifts, we can create health buildings that remain functional, efficient, and welcoming, ensuring long-term well-being for diverse populations.