Related Web Sites

Sustainable Design

The national AIA COTE Advisory Group, with the assistance of the regional team and several local chapters, has compiled a list of useful links that include our partners, allied organizations, government resources, news sources, and other source of information. Inclusion on this list does not indicate AIA or COTE endorsement of any particular programs or opinions expressed.

To nominate a site for inclusion, please send the URL and a description relevance to Marsha Garcia at cote@aia.org.

OUR PARTNERS

Center for Communities by Design www.aia.org/gov/liv_default
The center builds coalitions and works with many organizations to promote livable communities; COTE is a partner on several projects, including the Sustainable Design Assessment Team initiative (www.aia.org/liv_sdat).

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) www.energy.gov/engine/content.do
The DOE has been a past sponsor of the Top Ten program, and COTE continues to seek ways to link the Top Ten projects and data to the DOE’s well-developed and valuable resource, the High Performance Database, which is administered by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/highperformance).

Environmental Building News (EBN) www.buildinggreen.com
The EBN team has been an important partner on the Top Ten for several years, creating the online submission form and data collection aspect of the entry process. Each year, the metrics and related databases are refined.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ENERGY STAR^® Program www.epa.gov / www.energystar.gov
The AIA has a memorandum of understanding with the EPA, which is igniting several significant projects (including a water conference, research effort, and more); the EPA ENERGY STAR Program also is a sponsor of the COTE Top Ten Green Projects.

The National Building Museum www.nbm.org
The museum hosts the annual announcement of the AIA COTE Top Ten Green Projects and has partnered with COTE in other efforts as well.

Solar Decathalon www.eere.energy.gov/solar_decathlon/
AIA has been a supporter and sponsorCHK of the Solar Decathlon since the first effort in 2002. This year, past COTE Chair Mark Rylander, AIA, will be one of the judges in fall 2005 when 18 teams will bring their competition solar houses to Washington, D.C., where they will construct a "solar village" on the National Mall.

The Tides Foundation www.tides.org
The Tides Foundation awarded a grant to COTE for the Ecological Literacy in Architecture Education project and the 2005 Ecological Literacy Report. The foundation works toward positive social change, putting resources and people together to strengthen nonprofit organizations and the progressive movement.

ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES

American Planning Association (APA) www.planning.org
The APA is a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. The APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, promote the art and science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) www.asla.org
The ASLA is the national professional association representing landscape architects. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship.

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) www.ases.org
The U.S. section of the International Solar Energy Society, ASES is dedicated to the development and adoption of renewable energy in all its forms, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, ocean, and biofuels.

Association for Community Design (ACD) www.communitydesign.org
Supports community design centers with many resources, including a nationwide directory of community design centers, publications, and interactive discussions.

Building Science Corporation (BSC) www.buildingscience.com
BSCis a Boston-based architecture and building science consulting firm that focuses on preventing and resolving problems related to building design, construction, and operation. Internationally recognized for its expertise in moisture dynamics, indoor air quality, and forensic (building failure) investigations, BSC is also on the leading edge of the sustainable building and community design, promoting energy efficiency and environmental responsibility within the constraints of marketable and affordable building technology.

Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) www.cres-energy.org
CRES increases the awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and energy efficiency technologies.

The Donella Meadows Archive www.sustainer.org/dhm_archive/search.php
This is a public collection of the work of the late Donella “Dana” Meadows, PhD, founder of the Sustainability Institute and a pioneering environmental scientist, teacher, and writer. Through her writing and speaking, Meadows helped people understand global systems with long delays and complex feedbacks, while also inspiring many to think about individual choices in daily living.

The Earth Pledge Foundation www.earthpledge.org
The foundation identifies and promotes innovative techniques and technologies that restore the balance between human and natural systems. Through demonstration, education, and research, the foundation seeks to deliver viable models to government, industry, and communities.

Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA) www.eeba.org
EEBA provides education and resources to help the residential design, development, and construction industries profitably deliver energy-efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and communities.

Enterprise www.enterprisecommunity.org
Enterprise (formerly called The Enterprise Foundation) has partnered with the AIA, the Natural Resources Defense Council and others on the Green Communities initiative to ensure sustainable, smart and healthy homes and neighborhoods for Americans with limited incomes. The Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship was established in 1999 by The Enterprise Foundation to promote architectural and community design in low-income communities and encourages architects to become lifelong leaders in public service and community development.

GreenBiz.com www.greenbiz.com
GreenBiz is the leading Web site for clear, concise, accurate, and balanced information, resources, and learning opportunities to help companies of all sizes and sectors integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that supports profitable business practices. The site consolidates valuable news and resources from a combination of Web sites, workshops, daily Web feeds, newsletters, and briefing papers. Its resources are free to all users. GreenBiz is a program of The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF). NEETF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to advancing environmental education.

Green Building Pages www.greenbuildingpages.com
Green Building Pages is a sustainable-building materials database and design tool for the environmentally and socially responsible designer, builder, and client.

GreenerBuildings.com www.greenerbuildings.com
Created in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council in 2004, GreenerBuildings.com is a free, Web-based resource for environmentally responsible building development. The site helps companies of all sizes and sectors understand and address building design, construction, and operation in a way that aligns environmental responsibility with business success. Through hands-on tools, action steps, and other resources companies can use to understand the underlying issues, GreenerBuildings.com promotes positive, cost-effective practices that improve buildings' environmental performance while simultaneously reducing costs and negative health impacts. GreenerBuildings.com is produced by GreenBiz.com, a program of The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF). NEETF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to advancing environmental education.

Homes Across America www.homes-across-america.org
Homes Across America aims to build the bridge between homebuyers, builders, designers, and technical assistance providers who have questions, ideas, and information to share about resource-efficient features and innovations. A broad spectrum of national partners have contributed to this searchable technology showcase of resource-efficient homes and contacts across the nation.

International Downtown Association (IDA) www.ida-downtown.org
The IDA promotes and guides the development of vibrant, healthy urban centers that anchor towns, cities, and regions, by providing information resources, news, case studies, legislation tracking, and other services.

The Kresge Foundation www.kresge.org
The Kresge Foundation is a private foundation “to promote the well-being of mankind." A key effort is its Green Building Initiative to encourage nonprofit organizations to use sustainable design principles in their facilities.

Mayor’s Institute on City Design (MICD) www.archfoundation.org/micd/
The mission of MICD is to improve the design and livability of America's cities through their chief elected leaders: their mayors. The program is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), established in 1986 and now administered by the American Architectural Foundation in partnership with the NEA and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) www.nahb.org
The NAHB is a federation of more than 800 state and local builders associations throughout the United States. This trade association enhances the climate for housing and the building industry and promotes policies that will keep housing a national priority. Chief among NAHB's goals is providing and expanding opportunities for all consumers to have safe, decent, and affordable housing.

The Natural Step www.naturalstep.org
Since 1988, The Natural Step has worked to accelerate global sustainability by guiding companies, communities, and governments onto an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable path. More than 70 people in 12 countries work with an international network of sustainability experts, scientists, universities, and businesses to create solutions, innovative models, and tools that will lead the transition to a sustainable future.

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) www.rmi.org
RMI is a nonprofit organization established in 1982 by resource analysts L. Hunter Lovins and Amory B. Lovins. RMI brings a unique perspective to resource issues, guided by the following core principles: advanced resource productivity, systems thinking, positive action, market-oriented solutions, end-use/least-cost approach, biological insight, corporate transformation, the pursuit of interconnections, and natural capitalism.

Smart Growth Network (SGN) www.smartgrowth.org
SGN was formed in response to increasing community concerns about the need for new ways to grow that boost the economy, protect the environment, and enhance community vitality.

Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE) www.sbse.org
SBSE is an association of university educators and practitioners in architecture and related disciplines who support excellence in the teaching of environmental science and building technologies. SBSE's goal of promoting and supporting quality instruction in building science is realized through a broad range of practical activities.

Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC) www.sbicouncil.org
With an active membership of key leaders in the industry, SBIC brings together design professionals, corporations, and individuals who are committed to sustainable design.

Sustainable Communities Network (SCN) www.sustainable.org
This Web site provides links to information sources related to healthy, vital, and sustainable communities. Its goal is to increase the visibility of strategies that have worked in communities and to promote a lively exchange of information to help create community sustainability in both urban and rural areas.

Sustainable Design Resource Guide www.aiacolorado.org/SDRG/index.html
This guide, created by the AIA Denver Committee on the Environment, is organized according to the 16 divisions of the Construction Specifications Institute. Each division outlines specific concerns related to the products and systems in that division, followed by product listings and information designed to help in the purchase or specification of sustainable building products.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) www.tpl.org
Includes links to federal, state, and local funding of conservation projects; the LandVote database of ballot initiatives in state and local elections addressing open-space preservation; urban conservation information; and information on the economic benefits of designing development to protect open space.

Union of Concerned Scientists www.ucsusa.org
An independent nonprofit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists who seek to augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.

University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) www.ulsf.org
ULSF helps colleges and universities to make sustainability an integral part of curriculum, research, operations, and outreach.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) www.uli.org
ULI's mission is to provide responsible land-use leadership to enhance the total environment. To increase its influence on land-use policy and practice, the institute communicates best practices and provides relevant and current information about land use and real estate development to all its members and stakeholders.

U.S. Department of the Interior www.doi.gov/greening/buildings/High_Performance_Buildings.doc

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) www.usgs.gov
USGS provides reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. USGS has become a world leader in the natural sciences thanks to scientific excellence and responsiveness to society's needs.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) www.usgbc.org
USGBC is a coalition of leaders from across the building industry that is working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. COTE has worked closely with USGBC since its founding. COTE supports the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System^®, and several past COTE chairs have served on the USGBC board of directors.

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

in addition to those partners listed above:

U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Communities Network www.sustainable.doe.gov
This Web site provides information, assistance, and case studies on energy-efficient, sustainable development that strengthens local economies, protects the environment, and improves quality of life.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) www.ncsl.org
Growth management page includes recent state and court actions, publications, and a link to a database of state incentive-based growth management laws.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Smart Growth Program www.epa.gov/smartgrowth
EPA's Smart Growth Program promotes smart growth through grants; publications; an annual Smart Growth Achievement awards program; and a database of state, regional, and local regulations.

Project for Public Spaces (PPS) www.pps.org
PPS was founded in 1975 to continue the pioneering work of writer-sociologist William Whyte. PPS has helped more than 1,000 communities in 44 states and 12 countries improve their parks, markets, streets, transit stations, libraries, and countless other public spaces.

NEWS SOURCES

Planetizen
Metropolis magazine 
SprawlWatch Clearinghouse
grist magazine
ArchitectureWeek
ArchNewsNow.com
DesignArchitecture.com
GreatBuildings.com
GreenClips