Benji And Balu Feature In London Design Exhibition

Two rescued bears from the Isle of Wight are being showcased at a major London exhibition exploring sustainable design.

Benji and Balu from Wildheart Animal Sanctuary are appearing at Regenerative Design 2026, a month-long exhibition at The Building Centre in central London.

The bears feature in huge, floor-to-ceiling images welcoming visitors to the exhibition, while live webcams are also streaming from their home on the Isle of Wight.

The exhibition is looking at how buildings and spaces can be designed to work alongside nature, rather than simply reducing their environmental impact.

One of its themes is "Co-evolving with Nature", focusing on areas including biodiversity, natural materials and sustainable approaches to design.

Wildheart says those principles helped shape Benji and Balu's habitat, which was designed around their natural behaviours and gives them space to forage, climb, dig and swim.

The sanctuary is using the exhibition to highlight its approach to sustainable design and conservation work on the Isle of Wight.

Regenerative Design 2026 runs at The Building Centre until October 30.