Blogs

August Climate Action Events

By Lisa M. Ferretto AIA posted 5 hours ago
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AUGUST Climate Action + Equity Events! A listing of events, webinars, deadlines, etc. that may be of interest to those working for Climate Action and Equity! To return to the full monthly list, click here . ______ Aug 1, Earth Overshoot Day 2024 Earth Overshoot Day is computed by dividing the planet’s biocapacity (the amount of ecological resources Earth is able to generate that year), by humanity’s Ecological Footprint (humanity’s demand for that year), and multiplying by 365, the number of days in a year. Explore Solutions to #MoveTheDate. Thriving lives within the means of our planet are not out of reach. Plenty of solutions ...
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July Climate Action Events

By Lisa M. Ferretto AIA posted 30 days ago
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JULY Climate Action + Equity Events! A listing of events, webinars, deadlines, etc. that may be of interest to those working for Climate Action and Equity! To return to the full monthly list, click here . _________ National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building Announced - On June 6, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building to advance public and private sector efforts to decarbonize the buildings sector, which is responsible for more than one-third of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. A standardized definition for zero emissions buildings will help advance ...
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AIA Corporate Partners COTE Newsletter Article: Sherwin-Williams July 2024

By Alison Karfeld posted 06-24-2024
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Sherwin-Williams helps s implify y our s ustainability i nterests. During the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2024, Sherwin-Williams launched our product portal to the Ecomedes network . As a n industry leader, we’re excited to make sustainability easier to deliver into the market every single day . With Ecomedes , you can s implif y the evaluation and selection of sustainable materials via a one-stop shop . The platform pulls in all the certifications, documentation , and details of our products’ sustainability attributes , ...
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Materials Pledge: What’s new and what’s coming

By Tanya T. Eagle Assoc. AIA posted 06-17-2024
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Materials Pledge: What’s new and what’s coming by Tanya Eagle and Eana Bacchiocchi The architecture and design industry is increasingly understanding the crucial role materials have in both human and planetary health. To turn aspiration into action, the A&D Materials Pledge program is excited to announce its official reporting framework, released in-person last month at the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design by our Materials Pledge Working Group. Launched in 2018 and formally adopted by the AIA in 2020, the Materials Pledge community now includes 265+ signatory firms. The goal of the Materials Pledge reporting framework ...
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COTE Top Ten Awards announced

By Lyndley E. Kent AIA posted 06-17-2024
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Congratulations to the 2024 COTE Top Ten Award winners! This is a year of a few firsts for the Top Ten Awards, while carrying on the tradition of celebrating the best of the best in a rchitectur al design and environmental performance . The nine projects awarded represent notable examples of holistic design that embody all measures of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence . The list of winners includes many project typologies that span geographic location. The nine winning projects are: Alice West Fleet Elementary School in Arlington ...
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Letter from the Chair -- July/August 2024

By Michelle Amt FAIA posted 06-16-2024
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I am still recovering from AIA24. To be honest, this was only my second AIA conference ever. (I mean, really, who wants to spend that much time with 13,000 architects, am I right?) So, I was as shocked as anyone to learn that it’s both fascinating and empowering to spend a few days comparing notes with professionals facing the exact same struggles. Transforming the profession to take on the biggest design challenge of our time can be daunting, frustrating, and lonely. Belonging to a community is essential to keep you both grounded and motivated, and that community was in full force at AIA24. A couple of observations on the conference in general: ...
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First-Time COTE Open Forum Experience

By Brittany L. Williams AIA posted 06-10-2024
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During the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2024 in Washington, DC, we learned that the U.S. Department of Energy announced a National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building . It seemed fitting that on the same day as this landmark announcement, the National AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) hosted the COTE Open Forum: Climate Advocacy and Market Transformation. The COTE Open Forum was a packed session that allowed attendees to connect and explore the implementation of COTE’s mission on a multitude of scales through a series of speakers and curated conversations with other attendees. On the federal policy scale, Lindsey Falasca, Director ...
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June Climate Action Events

By Lisa M. Ferretto AIA posted 06-03-2024
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JUNE Climate Action + Equity Events! A listing of events, webinars, deadlines, etc. that may be of interest to those working for Climate Action and Equity! To return to full monthly list, click here . ___________ AIA Upjohn Research Initiative Grants – Call for Submissions open ! Submission deadline: August 28, 2024. The AIA Upjohn Research Initiative supports applied research projects that enhance the value of design and professional practice knowledge. Academic institutions, firms, practice, and other research and non-profit organizations are all eligible for grants. Research should be relevant and applicable ...
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Join Us at AIA's Climate Action by Design Networking Reception, Presented by COTE

By Daniel J. Stine AIA posted 05-30-2024
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If you will be at the AIA National Conference next week in Washington D.C. please consider joining us at this COTE reception. AIA's Climate Action by Design Networking Reception, Presented by COTE (EV219) Thursday, June 6, 5:30- 7:30 pm Marriott Marquis Atrium Presented by the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE), in partnership with all of AIA's Climate Action member groups (Resilience and Adaptation Advisory Group, Disaster Assistance Committee, 2030 Commitment Working Group, Materials Pledge Working Group, Building Performance, and Historic Resources Committee), this event provides a valuable opportunity for networking with other architects, designers, ...
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Celebrating Earth Day: A Look into The Legacy of the AIA COTE and the COTE Top Ten Awards

By Joyce A. Raybuck AIA posted 05-12-2024
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Our favorite day of the year is here: Earth Day. AIA COTE Top Ten winners have historically been announced on this day, however this year, they will be announced with the design awards at the AIA Conference in June. Instead, on this important day of awareness for environmental protection, we celebrate the impact and legacy of the AIA COTE Top Ten award. How it All Began The Committee on the Environment (COTE) began when a Critical Planet Rescue (CPR) measure was presented by AIA Kansas City leaders, including Bob Berkebile and Kirk Gastinger, at the 1989 AIA convention in St. Louis. The measure called for the AIA to take action to address environmental ...
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May Climate Action Events

By Lisa M. Ferretto AIA posted 04-26-2024
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MAY Climate Action + Equity Events A listing of events, webinars, deadlines, etc. that may be of interest to those working for Climate Action and Equity! To return to full monthly list, click here . May 6, AIA Women’s Leadership Summit - Calls for Proposals Opens The call for proposals will open May 6 and close June 14. Women’s Leadership Summit, October 8-10, 2024, founded by AIA, exists to support and empower women on their leadership journeys and break down the barriers. This premier event brings together the industry’s largest network of diverse women in architecture, design, and the allied building industries ...
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COTE May 2024 Newsletter Sponsor Content: Andersen

By Alison Karfeld posted 04-24-2024
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Booth Hansen’s award-winning Solar House By Andersen Windows & Doors When an empty-nester couple decided to build a new home, they had a few ideas in mind. One, they wanted to remain in their current neighborhood. Two, they wanted more natural light and outdoor connections. And three , they wanted an all-electric home. Here’s how Booth Hansen designed a Chicago modern home that delivers on all three wishes — aka, the Solar House. H2: Creative reuse helps overcome zoning restrictions The homeowners purchased an existing house ...
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AIA Policy Update: A Step Forward in Environmental Responsibility

By Kira L. Gould Hon. AIA posted 04-18-2024
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AIA Policy Update: A Step Forward in Environmental Responsibility By AIA Committee on the Environment Leadership Group The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recently made significant updates to its policy statements , underscoring the evolving role of architects in addressing climate change and environmental justice. These updates, approved by the AIA Board of Directors, emphasize the association's commitment to making a positive impact on our planet through responsible design practices. Background of the Update The AIA's policy statements serve as a public declaration of the values and beliefs held by the association. These statements ...
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Building Reuse for Climate Action: A New AIA Guide

By Kira L. Gould Hon. AIA posted 04-17-2024
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Building Reuse for Climate Action: A New AIA Practice Guide By Kelsey Wotila, AIA AIA has recently released a new practice guide: Today's Buildings for Tomorrow: Guide to Building Reuse for Climate Action . It is designed to be an essential and practical resource tailored for architects engaged in the renovation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Its core objective is to equip architects with practical insights to make informed decisions that maximize positive outcomes. This guide serves as a compass for navigating the complexities of building renovation projects, highlighting the logic in approaching a project (what questions should a designer ...
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COTE Book Review: The Story of Upfront Carbon by Lloyd Alter

By Lisa Richmond Hon. AIA posted 04-16-2024
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NOTE: COTE will host an interview with Lloyd Alter on June 11. Registration coming soon. As a fan of Lloyd Alter 's writing, I knew his new book would be provocative. Like Living the 1.5 Degree Lifestyle and his excellent Substack , I expected The Story of Upfront Carbon to help me see the world in new ways. What I didn’t expect: it would be such a delight to read. The book is honest and practical, making complicated subjects accessible using simple, everyday examples. It’s not written for architects, but nonetheless offers rich systems-level thinking about decarbonizing the built environment. This is a sophisticated ...
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COTE Network Update

By Bunny Tucker AIA posted 04-16-2024
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COTE Network Update By Bunny Tucker, AIA, CPHD The COTE Network will host its second quarterly call of the year on Tuesday May 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET. The discussion, titled “New Chapters, Old Chapters, and Everything In Between” will focus on the work taking place in various regions. Join us for case studies from AIA South Carolina COTE ( Mason Malsegna ), AIA Indiana COTE ( Daniel Overbey, Joe Yount, Reva Derhammer ), AIA San Antonio COTE ( Benjamin Rosas, Sandra Montalbo) , and AIA Philly COTE ( Roshni Krishnan, Katherine Urbaniak, Danielle Fleischmann). Group discussions will focus on big questions that COTE Chapters are facing: How to increase ...
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2024 AIA Hill Day

By Robin Leigh Ziegenbalg Puttock AIA posted 04-15-2024
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I lived in the Washington, DC region for 25 years. I am humbled to admit that during all those years, I never visited any of my elected federal officials in person…and they all worked less than 6 miles from my home. It took a move to Atlanta, GA, and my new incoming chair role on the National AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Leadership Group to get me to Capitol Hill to advocate for what I care about. AIA’s Hill Day is part of the National AIA’s Annual Leadership Summit, formerly known as Grassroots. It is an opportunity for architects and allied professionals in leadership roles within the AIA to come together, network and, most importantly, learn ...
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Climate Justice and Disaster Recovery

By Nikolaus T. Remus AIA posted 04-15-2024
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When architects engage in disaster recovery efforts, technical expertise gets the most attention for how we can contribute to the process. This is no accident; AIA's Safety Assessment Program (SAP) prepares architects to participate in rapid building assessment in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. These efforts are vital to helping local governments understand the magnitude of a disaster, where to prioritize their efforts, and determine if residents can return to their homes. I don't think it's a stretch to say that every architect participating in disaster recovery immediately thinks ...
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JOIN COTE: Apply this spring for the national Leadership Group

By Kira L. Gould Hon. AIA posted 04-15-2024
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JOIN COTE: Apply this spring for the national Leadership Group If you have been in the COTE community for a while, or are new to our tent, perhaps it’s time to think about applying to the national Leadership Group of COTE, an AIA Knowledge Community (since 1990). What does the COTE Leadership Group do? This group of 12 people shape and shepherd tend to COTE’s flagship programs, the COTE Top Ten Awards (since 1997) and the AIA/ACSA COTE Top Ten for Students Competition … as well as guiding knowledge development, collaborating with other climate groups at AIA (2030 Working Group, materials groups, the Resilience and Adaptation Group, and ...
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