As the global energy crisis deepens and environmental degradation accelerates, sustainable architecture has emerged as a critical path forward in the evolution of the built environment. Among the rising voices in this field, Jiaying Bai stands out for her refined spatial sensibility, unwavering commitment to sustainability, and multicultural design lens. She translates the abstract ideals of green building into spaces that are both highly functional and deeply expressive.
In the following conversation, Bai reflects on the formative experiences that shaped her perspective and shares how she critically challenges conventional practices through design. Her insights offer a glimpse into a practice that balances environmental performance with cultural meaning and emotional resonance.
Q: What kind of role do you think sustainability should play in architectural design?
A: Sustainability should be a foundational element of architectural design—not an optional layer added at the end. It should inform every decision, from site planning and material selection to building systems and spatial strategies. At its heart, sustainable design is about creating environments that respond thoughtfully to their surroundings, conserve resources, and support human health and well-being. It’s also about stewardship—caring for land, communities, and future generations.
Rather than limiting creativity, sustainability expands it. It pushes us to rethink how buildings can coexist with nature, adapt to evolving needs, and enrich people’s lives. In today’s interconnected world, where environmental and social challenges are deeply intertwined, sustainability must also address equity, resilience, and long-term impact. Meaningful architecture emerges from this integrated perspective—where ecological, cultural, and social considerations converge to shape spaces that are not only efficient and beautiful, but transformative.
Q: How did you develop your approach to integrating sustainability into architectural design? Was there a defining experience?
A: My commitment to sustainability is rooted in both personal awareness and professional exploration. Growing up in China, I experienced firsthand the environmental toll of rapid urban development—polluted rivers, smog-filled air, and the disappearance of public green space. These early experiences made it clear to me that architecture must be part of the solution, not the problem.
Later, at the Rhode Island School of Design, I had the opportunity to examine sustainability through a broader lens—not just as a technical challenge, but as a cultural, social, and ecological philosophy. That perspective was transformative. I began to see that sustainable architecture is about more than reducing harm; it's about actively contributing to the vitality of ecosystems and communities.
Working on projects like the Whittingham Discovery Center and the New Canaan Library has allowed me to put those principles into practice. These projects reinforced the importance of site-responsive strategies, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and long-term thinking. Sustainability becomes most powerful when it is woven seamlessly into the design process—when it’s integral to a building’s story, character, and everyday use.
The Whittingham Discovery Center Sustainability Strategies Diagram (Photo Courtesy: Centerbrook Architects and Planners)
Q: In your view, what role does “site” play in sustainable architecture, and how does it shape your design decisions?
A: In sustainable design, the site isn’t just a physical location—it’s an active force that informs every aspect of the architecture. A thoughtful response to the site can dramatically reduce environmental impact, elevate user experience, and deepen a project’s cultural and ecological relevance. I always begin by understanding the site’s climate, topography, vegetation, history, and community dynamics. Each site presents distinct challenges and opportunities that guide the design narrative.
A good example is The New Canaan Library in Connecticut. Situated in a town renowned for its modernist architectural legacy, including Philip Johnson’s Glass House, the project was an opportunity to honor that heritage while designing for the present and future. We used locally sourced dry-laid stone, rhythmic glass panels, and textured metal roof caps that echo the verticality of New England’s forests—integrating the building into its landscape with a contemporary voice.
Sustainability strategies were also rooted in site-specific conditions. The building is fully electric, powered in part by rooftop photovoltaics and supported by air-source heat pumps and energy recovery systems. Bird-friendly glazing, reclaimed glass concrete, low-VOC materials, and locally sourced wood finishes all contribute to performance and well-being. Abundant natural light and operable shading systems were fine-tuned to the building’s orientation. The site, in this case, was not only a source of design inspiration but a framework for sustainable logic.
The New Canaan Library facade details, echoing the forests and providing bird protection. (Photo Courtesy: Jeff Goldberg/Esto)
Q: How do you ensure that sustainability is carried through every phase of a project—from design to construction and long-term operation?
A: Sustainability must be embedded from the very beginning and carried forward through each stage. It starts with understanding the client’s values and the site’s environmental and cultural context. From there, we develop integrated strategies that align technical performance with long-term purpose.
The Gymnasium and Science Pavilion at Buckingham Friends School illustrates this approach well. Rooted in the school’s Quaker values of simplicity, stewardship, and community, the design emphasized low-impact interventions that respect the site’s historical landscape while supporting high-performance education spaces. The gymnasium is set into a hillside, minimizing its visual footprint, and features cross-laminated timber and glulam structures that reduce embodied carbon while creating a warm, welcoming interior.
The Gymnasium at Buckingham Friends School (Photo Courtesy: Christopher Payne)
We incorporated operable windows, skylights, and daylighting to reduce energy dependence. The science pavilion is fully electric and net-zero energy ready. Materials were chosen for their environmental sensitivity—slate porches, local wood finishes, and nontoxic products that foster healthy, hands-on learning environments. In the long term, these buildings serve as both functional spaces and living demonstrations of sustainable values, encouraging future generations to engage with environmental responsibility.
Q: What role should architects play in advancing social and environmental sustainability beyond just designing buildings?
A: Architects have a unique responsibility to act as both designers and changemakers. Beyond creating physical spaces, we help shape the systems, values, and behaviors that define how people live and interact with their environments. In the context of social and environmental sustainability, our role extends into advocacy, education, and collaboration. We must engage with communities to understand their needs, work across disciplines to promote equitable access to resources, and champion policies that support climate resilience and ecological stewardship.
Architecture can be a powerful platform for civic engagement and cultural expression. By designing buildings that foster inclusion, public dialogue, and environmental awareness, we help cultivate more resilient and compassionate societies. Whether it’s through participatory design processes, material transparency, or long-term planning, architects have the tools—and the responsibility—to lead by example and push the built environment toward a more just and sustainable future.
Q: Looking ahead, what kind of impact do you hope your work will have in the field of sustainable architecture?
A: I hope my work helps expand the definition of sustainable architecture—beyond metrics and certifications, toward a more human-centered and place-responsive vision. I want to show that sustainability doesn’t mean compromising aesthetics or functionality; on the contrary, it can enhance them. Through my projects, I aim to create spaces that are emotionally engaging, environmentally responsible, and socially inclusive.
More importantly, I hope to inspire other architects to see sustainability as a design ethic—a way of thinking and making that evolves with time, place, and need. It’s about embedding care at every level: for users, for ecosystems, and for future generations. By listening deeply to context and involving communities in the process, we can create architecture that is not only durable in its physical form, but resilient in spirit and meaningful in legacy.
