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The Committee on the Environment (COTE) works to advance,
disseminate, and advocate—to the profession, the building
industry, the academy, and the public—design practices that
integrate built and natural systems and enhance both the design
quality and environmental performance of the built
environment.
The committee reflects the profession’s commitment to
provide healthy and safe environments for people and is
dedicated to preserving the earth’s capability of sustaining a
shared high quality of life. The committee’s mission is to
lead and coordinate the profession’s involvement in
environmental and energy-related issues and to promote the role of
the architect as a leader in preserving and protecting the planet
and its living systems.
COTE provides the AIA with knowledge about environmental issues and
advises the Institute on environmental policy matters affecting the
practice of architecture. The committee supports cooperation with
educators and institutions of learning, manufacturers, government
agencies, environmental organizations, and industry groups in
advancing environmentally sound design processes and standards as
well as environmentally innovative materials and integrated
systems.
COTE Goals
- Educate architects about the environmental and energy-related
impacts of design decisions and encourage active membership
participation
- Communicate the AIA’s environmental and energy-related
concerns to the public and private sectors and influence the
decisions of the public, professionals, clients, and public
officials on the impact of their environmental and energy-related
decisions
- Foster leadership among architects in all facets of
environmental decision-making
- Recognize environmental leadership of architects in practice,
education, industry, and government
- Promote implementation of sustainable design programs and
ecological literacy in architecture schools and other educational
venues
- Maintain alliances with other AIA knowledge communities and
committees and with professional and trade associations such as the
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture; American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers; Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America; International Code Council; Sustainable
Buildings Industry Council; Urban Land Institute; U.S. Green
Building Council; and other leaders in environmentally responsible
design
Definitions
Sustainability envisions the enduring prosperity of all
living things.
Sustainable design seeks to create communities,
buildings, and products that contribute to this vision.
Ten Measures of Sustainable Design
Measure 1: Design and Innovation
Sustainable design is an inherent aspect of design excellence.
Projects should express sustainable design concepts and intentions
and take advantage of innovative programming opportunities.
Measure 2: Regional/Community Design
Sustainable design values the unique cultural and natural
character of a given region.
Measure 3: Land Use and Site Ecology
Sustainable design protects and benefits ecosystems,
watersheds, and wildlife habitat in the presence of human
development.
Measure 4: Bioclimatic Design
Sustainable design conserves resources and maximizes comfort
through design adaptations to site-specific and regional climate
conditions.
Measure 5: Light and Air
Sustainable design creates comfortable interior environments that
provide daylight, views, and fresh air.
Measure 6: Water Cycle
Sustainable design conserves water and protects and improves
water quality.
Measure 7: Energy Flows and Energy Future
Sustainable design conserves energy and resources and reduces
the carbon footprint while improving building performance and
comfort. Sustainable design anticipates future energy sources and
needs.
Measure 8: Materials and Construction
Sustainable design includes the informed selection of
materials and products to reduce product-cycle environmental
impacts, improve performance, and optimize occupant health and
comfort.
Measure 9: Long Life, Loose Fit
Sustainable design seeks to enhance and increase ecological,
social, and economic values over time.
Measure 10: Collective Wisdom and Feedback Loops
Sustainable design strategies and best practices evolve over
time through documented performance and shared knowledge of lessons
learned.
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