AIA AND SUSTAINABILITY:
REDEFINING SUSTAINABILITY—NEW DIRECTIONS FOR DESIGNING OUR FUTURE
Presenter: Norman Strong, FAIA
AIA National Vice President and managing partner for the Miller/Hull Partnership in Seattle, Wash.
AIA established carbon-emission targets in a December 2005 position statement: a minimum 50 percent reduction by 2010, increasing incrementally to net zero carbon emissions in 2030.
An AIA survey asked people to identify the top greenhouse gas generators; only seven percent chose commercial buildings. We need to get the word out: commercial buildings account for 48% of the energy consumption in the U.S., almost as much as industry (25 percent) and transportation (27 percent) combined.
Architects are the solution. By 2035, three-quarters of the U.S. building stock will be either new or renovated. This means we are in a position to reduce emissions. To help, AIA offers education and resources:
"50to50," clarifying means and methods, principles and practices;
"SustAIAnability2030 Toolkit," for mayors and city councils, architects and the public;
"SustAIAnability2030 Roadshow," to provide an introduction to principles and practices;
"Rating Systems Evaluation," an evaluation of three leading rating systems against the AIA's position-statement criteria;
"Sustainable Education," enhanced curriculum for the academy; and
"Green the AIA" travel venues.
AIA is also involved in advocacy: advocating design and planning that result in a 50 percent reduction of fossil fuels in buildings and communities by 2010 and carbon neutrality by 2030; developing a communication plan for the AIA Sustainability Agenda; promoting and advocating sustainable design and planning in the development of the Greening of the Schools and their curricula, Head Start to adult education; and promoting legislation, codes, appropriations, research and initiatives that support sustainable buildings and communities.
Climate change is real. AIA architects have a solution. It is an ethical responsibility and a huge opportunity. It is not business as usual.
Additional Information
AIA Sustainability Resource Center: www.aia.org/susn_rc_default
 Download AIA Sustainable Architectural Practice Position Statement PowerPoint presentation as PDF
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