COTE: Resilient High-Performance Building Design

Practical Resilience Strategies That Seamlessly Align With High-Performance, Low-Carbon Objectives

As climate events and disruptions become more frequent, it’s essential for buildings to remain functional and habitable under extreme conditions. This presentation explores practical resilience strategies that seamlessly align with high-performance, low-carbon objectives—ranging from robust envelopes and passive design to on-site renewable energy and advanced HVAC systems. Attendees will learn how to integrate resilience measures from the earliest design phases without sacrificing sustainability goals or architectural aesthetics.

This presentation is available online and in person.

Learning objectives

• Understand resilience in high-performance buildings – Learn what resilience means in the built environment and how it aligns with low-carbon, high-performance goals.
• Recognize climate and infrastructure risks – Identify key hazards like flooding and heat waves and assess their impact on building systems and occupant safety.
• Apply resilient design strategies – Explore practical ways to design for durability, energy efficiency, and comfort, even in extreme conditions.
• Integrate resilience across the project lifecycle – Incorporate resilience from early design through implementation, leveraging codes, incentives, and long-term cost benefits.

About the speaker

Brendan Gardes, PE, is a seasoned MEP systems engineer with over 20 years of expertise in sustainable building design. As Sustainable Studio Director at Newcomb & Boyd, he champions high-performance projects, including multiple Living Building Challenge and LEED Platinum certifications. Brendan takes a client-focused approach, empowering teams with knowledge and innovative solutions to optimize the built environment.