As the building sector accelerates toward decarbonization, “high performance” must evolve beyond energy efficiency alone. The buildings of the future will not simply use less energy—they will use energy differently. This session examines how thoughtful investments in design strategies, technical expertise, and operational planning can position projects to deliver long-term performance, flexible resilience, and measurable climate benefits.
Using new construction and retrofit project examples, we will explore how proven passive strategies—climate-responsive envelopes, daylighting, thermal optimization, and other foundational efficiency measures—remain essential to reducing loads and improving occupant comfort. When paired with high-efficiency active systems such as heat pumps and microgrids, these approaches enable buildings to achieve both low annual energy use and reduced peak demand. This dual focus is critical as electric grids transition toward renewable generation and increasingly rely on buildings to provide load flexibility and resilience.
The session will also highlight the growing role of the elusive advanced control systems and importance of the interoperable, open-source platforms in enabling dynamic building operations, drawing lessons from the PAE Living Building. Emerging tools allow operators to strategically manage loads, and optimize performance in real time—transforming buildings from static energy users into active participants in a decarbonized energy system.
Drawing from initiatives such as the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Future Ready Buildings framework and the Coalition for Smart Buildings’ work on open-source controls, this presentation will translate theory into actionable strategies. Attendees will gain practical guidance on integrating passive design, peak-reducing systems, and smart controls into cohesive project delivery. The session will also address how to communicate the long-term value of these investments to clients and owners—aligning financial decision-making with operational resilience, occupant well-being, and climate impact. Participants will leave with a roadmap for designing buildings prepared not just for today’s realities, but tomorrow’s challenges.
