Practicing ArchitecturePracticing Architecture

Help shape the International Green Construction Code

by Bill Worthen, AIA, LEED AP, Director, Resource Architect for Sustainability, and Jessyca Henderson, AIA, Director of Sustainability Advocacy

The practice of architecture has reached a critical juncture in the evolution of green building.  Most architects if asked would say they try their best to include green materials and energy conserving strategies in their work. But until recently, the design of green buildings has largely been considered a specialty or additional service practiced by a few noteworthy architects with the time, motivation, client interest, and fees to focus on building green.

The days of making the business case for sustainable design have passed.  Today’s green building challenges have made their way into state and local green building requirements and model green building codes. Green building is fast becoming mandate in many jurisdictions, and architects need to take this opportunity to engage and to lead in the code development process as it interfaces with sustainable design. We need to re-learn and change some of the long-practiced ways we work in order to stay ahead of the curve. We must be more concerned about the where, how, and why of the materials we select, and the sustainable potential of a site. We must gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge of our consultants, the values we use to measure our work, and the way we understand the costs of our building and their operations. As sustainable design and construction requirements move from elective, third party building ratings to municipal green building codes requirements, architects need to take note: Green building code requirements will change our profession’s required standard of care.

The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) will apply to traditional commercial and high performance buildings. It will be applicable to the construction of buildings, structures and systems, including alterations and additions. It will be consistent and coordinated with the ICC family of codes and standards. It will be neutral with regards to the leading rating systems in mind and incorporate ASHRAE Standard 189 as an alternative compliance path. The CC will provide criteria to measure compliance and will address residential construction by reference to the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard for Residential Construction. The AIA is a cooperating sponsor in the ICC effort and has played a major role in the development of the first public version of the itthrough our volunteer efforts on the Sustainable Building Technology Committee.

Please help the AIA make sure your voice is heard in the development of the ICC. The AIA will be working hard over the next year to develop useful tools and resources every architect will need to manage the regulatory changes that affect the way you design, and to provide the resources you need to communicate with your clients, staff, and local code officials.

Help the AIA continue to shape the ICC. We need your comments by May 1, 2010.

 AIA Members can submit comments here. 

For more information on the ICC and the ICC, see the ICC’s website Please direct any questions or concerns to GOVAFFS@aia.org