By Robyn M. Feller, Contributing Editor

This Continuing Education Course was published in the Building Design+Construction Healthcare Annual Report 2025.

Sustainability has long been a priority in healthcare construction, but resiliency has become equally essential as climate risks intensify, energy costs rise, and operational demands grow more complex. Today’s healthcare facilities must go beyond meeting green building standards. They need to maintain operations during emergencies, adapt to shifting conditions, and support human health every day.

In response, architects, engineers, and contractors are embracing performance-driven strategies that emphasize durability, flexibility, and occupant safety. Project teams are advancing integrated approaches that address materials selection, indoor environmental quality, decarbonization, and life-cycle analysis—all without compromising patient care or budget constraints.

This course examines how healthcare design and construction professionals are redefining what it means to build sustainably. It highlights real-world strategies for selecting resilient assemblies, enhancing wellness, reducing carbon emissions, and evaluating the long-term value of sustainability investments.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, participants will be able to:

• IDENTIFY sustainable materials and assemblies commonly used in healthcare construction that enhance durability, infection control, and environmental performance.
• EXPLAIN how wellness-focused design strategies, such as daylighting, acoustics, indoor air quality, and trauma-informed design, improve health outcomes for patients and staff.
• DESCRIBE resilient infrastructure and decarbonization strategies that support continuity of care and operational reliability in healthcare buildings.
• EVALUATE life-cycle assessment methods and HVAC system upgrades that reduce energy costs and support long-term sustainability goals.

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Image credit: COURTESY ROBINS & MORTON