Two of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary’s best-known residents are taking centre stage in London this month, with rescued bears Benji and Balu becoming the faces of a major exhibition focused on sustainable design.
The bears are featuring prominently at Regenerative Design 2026, a month-long exhibition at The Building Centre in central London.
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary’s approach to sustainable design is being showcased alongside work from architects, designers and organisations from across the UK.
Floor-to-ceiling images of Benji and Balu, standing around 12ft tall, greet visitors as they enter the exhibition.
Visitors are also able to watch the bears live from their home on the Isle of Wight through webcams streaming throughout the event.
The exhibition explores how buildings and spaces can be designed in ways that do more than simply reduce their impact on the environment.
Its third week focuses on the theme of ‘Co-evolving with Nature’, looking at biodiversity, natural materials and closed-loop approaches to design.
Wildheart says these are the same principles that helped shape the bears’ habitat and the sanctuary’s wider approach to sustainable development on the Isle of Wight.
Benji and Balu’s home has been designed around their needs, giving them space to explore, forage, climb, dig and swim.
Lawrence, CEO of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, has said:
“Seeing Benji and Balu, and the other animals at Wildheart, welcome thousands of people in central London is a proud moment for our team and for the Isle of Wight.
“A great example of how the Island is leading the national conversation on living in harmony with nature and developing sustainably.”
For Wildheart, the exhibition is also a chance to showcase how spaces for rescued animals can be designed with sustainability in mind.
It also places Isle of Wight conservation work in front of architects, engineers and policymakers involved in shaping future buildings and places across the country.
The exhibition gives visitors in London a live connection to Benji and Balu on the Isle of Wight, while those inspired to see the bears in person can visit them at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
Regenerative Design 2026 runs at The Building Centre in central London until 30th October.
