i + D - March/April 2020 - 30

Contributors

Image 1: Kirk Condyles/Image 2: Rashidah De Vore/Image 3: Anna Zappia/Image 4: Robert Nieminen/Image 5: Andrew French

As part of the professional collective involved in the built environment, the design industry strives to
protect the health and wellbeing of both Mother Earth and its inhabitants. That also is the way in which
our authors have approached the articles they have researched and written for the March/April issue
of i+D, as well as their own observations on the theme, "Design Changes the Climate." -Linda K. Monroe
1. Ambrose Clancy,
ICONic Profile: Jennifer Mallard
Ambrose brings a delightful perspective to industry
issues, as well as to each professional he interviews
for i+D's "ICONic Profile" series, which includes his
recent dialogue with Jennifer Mallard, a principal
at Diamond Schmitt Architects (p. 44). "Jennifer's
ideas on transforming an institution-the National
Arts Centre building in Canada's capital city of
Ottawa-from a 20th-century Brutalist design into
something lighter, more nuanced, and welcoming
were fascinating," he reveals. "She understood the
need to balance the necessity of keeping a tradition
and a time alive, while also bringing new ideas to
bear on an essential place in a country's culture and
history." Ambrose also appreciated Jennifer's open
and cheerful response about waking up thinking
about work, "since most people are embarrassed
to admit that," he says. His take on environmental
accountability? "It's up to everyone. But those
responsible for the built environment have a
deeper responsibility-in just the realm of energy
consumption alone," he offers. "By incorporating
energy-saving methods and the use of non-fossil
fuel sources, architects and designers are doing
the right thing, and also are showing the way for
other industries and professions."
2. Diana Mosher, Residential Revolution
During her reporting on sustainable trends in homes
(p. 50), Diana learned that green roofs-which are
gaining popularity in the residential sector-can
actually eliminate the need for air-conditioning.
"I also was interested in the usage of prefab building
components to create the sound envelope necessary for
net-zero/passive homes at EchoHaven," a sustainable
community on the outskirts of Calgary, Canada, that
was two decades in the making, she says. "It's very
impressive that every house has guaranteed solar
access as per the community's bylaws, and owners
are able to position their homes for maximum solar

gains. This is the sort of knowledge that designers have
been championing for years, and their commitment
to do things better is finally paying off." Although
Diana concedes that the built environment historically
has consumed enormous quantities of resources and
contributed much waste to landfills, she praises the
A&D professionals who "have spent decades on green
building thought leadership and have strategies ready
to implement in the planning stages of projects that
will result in more sustainable outcomes."
3. Anna Zappia, Sustainable Innovators
A new contributor to the i+D editorial team,
Anna specializes in technology features-making
her the perfect choice to research and write this
edition's article on sustainable product development
(p. 38). Notes Anna, "Designers and architects are
visionaries-they are creating our products and
buildings. We look to them not only for inspiration,
but also for leadership and guidance. So, if they
choose sustainable materials, then that makes
a difference. As we all continue to address the
issues that are affecting the planet, I am confident
that these individuals will help us find solutions
with the same outside-of-the-box thinking and
creativity that they apply to their work every day."
Anna appreciated learning the stories behind the
sustainable products that are being made by both
small and large manufacturers. And, she adds,
"I also was pleasantly surprised to hear each
of the interviewees talk about competitors in such
a positive way, readily offering praise for their
products or initiatives and [saying] how they were
inspired. It was heartening to hear this support
for one another."
4. Robert Nieminen, Commercial Commitments
Although Robert has reported on the topic
of sustainability for nearly 20 years, he was
still encouraged by the dedication of the
companies he interviewed for his feature article,

i+D - March/April 2020

"Commercial Commitments" (p. 32), especially
in how these professionals continue to push the
envelope and are shaping the future. Robert
remembers as a child watching public service ads
on TV that urged people not to litter-"a huge
problem in the '70s and '80s"-and is happy such
fundamental momentum has grown to encompass
the many environmental initiatives common today.
"Positive change is happening, even if it does seem
incremental at times," he says. "It's important that
we continue to consider the generations that will
follow in our footsteps in the decisions we make, but
also it's clear that we will leave the planet in good
hands. ... The impact of buildings on the planet is
significant, and who better than design professionals
to find innovative solutions for shrinking our
environmental footprint with the spaces we occupy?"
5. Michele Keith,
Talking Sustainability with Clients
Since designers and architects are privy to the latest
information about ways to combat climate change in
their work, Michele believes it is only logical that they
share this with their clients and associates-a point
she emphasizes in her "Business of Design" article
(p. 18). "Plus, they work one-on-one with clients,
oftentimes as influencers within their own particular
communities," she states, adding that such sway
may change the mindset of non-believing clients,
who, by extension, "will likely spread what they've
learned to those in their own network." For instance,
Michele was very pleased to learn of the incredible
depth to which designers are willing to go to create
human-friendly residential and commercial spaces.
"I love the fact that, when faced with clients who
are less than concerned about sustainability,
designers don't give up," she explains. "They simply
install behind-the-scenes, eco-friendly products;
use sustainable solutions and techniques; or share
their knowledge of current laws that demand
sustainable practices."

i + D - March/April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i + D - March/April 2020