The Framework for Design Excellence documents the defining principles of good design and must continue to evolve to advance the standards of the profession. The Framework for Design Excellence Working Group, a task force created under the auspices of the Committee for Climate Action and Design Excellence, has worked over the last nine months to analyze the Framework for gaps related to the Climate Action outcomes: zero-carbon, equity, resilience, and health.
In recent years, principles were edited by a separate committee for each principle, looking deeply into the best practices, developing focus topics, and compiling resources and case study projects. This year, the Working Group integrated the four outcomes across the framework across all ten principles, looking for opportunities to highlight actions with multiple benefits. Here are a few examples of high-impact actions:
Design for Integration: “Engaging the natural and cultural environment of the place, including climate and people,” becomes part of the central design and performance concept.
Design for Equitable Communities: “Consider the role of existing structures in the history and culture of a place before adding new buildings,” is a strategy to enhance preservation and reduce the waste of embodied carbon resources.
Design for Ecosystems: Focuses on the intersection between architecture and landscape architecture, with new best practices related to adaptation, habitat restoration, and equitable access to nature. This principle was reorganized in response to ASLA’s Climate Action Plan.
Design for Change: “Design for adaptation and flexibility of the building and site by reviewing against climate risks, determining the service life of the building, and projecting opportunities for incremental performance improvements over time.”
Design for Water: “Identify stakeholders impacted by water use decisions and take steps to correct historic inequities” recognizes equity issues in access to water. The principle also addresses the energy and carbon impacts of treating water for potable uses.
Design for Well-Being: “Be determined in reducing the use of fossil fuels. Challenge the assumption that buildings require fossil fuels for their operation. Design for passive survivability in the event of service interruptions.”
Design for Resources: “Select products from manufacturers that secure human rights in their own operations and in their supply chains, positively impacting their workers and the communities where they operate. Consider the health of communities where resources are extracted, harvested, and manufactured.”
In addition, an Introduction and a Glossary are introduced this year to describe the Framework, how to use it, and create a shared resource for definitions.
The revised Framework will be released in Summer 2023 – but as a living document, more updates are planned to better align with AIA and associate organizations, and develop clear and authoritative metrics and benchmarks. The Framework will continue to represent a model for practice, demonstrating leadership in both climate action and design excellence.
Members of the 2022 Working Group:
Allison Anderson, FAIA (2022 Chair)
Melanie Islam, AIA (2023 Chair)
Kelli Kimura, Associate AIA
Ellen Mitchell-Kozack, AIA