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ALBION DISTRICT LIBRARY BY PERKINS + WILL IS A 2018 COTE TOP TEN RECIPIENT. IMAGE: DOUBLESPACE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Who we are

The Committee on the Environment (COTE®) is an AIA Knowledge Community working for architects, allied professionals, and the public to achieve climate action and climate justice through design. We believe that design excellence is the foundation of a healthy, sustainable, and equitable future. Our work promotes design strategies that empower all AIA members to realize the best social and environmental outcomes with the clients and the communities they serve.

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To learn about the Framework for Design Excellence (formerly the COTE Top Ten Measures), click here.

Check out COTE's history and timeline. 

Starting a local COTE or sustainability group and need some guidance? Check out the AIA COTE Network Resources here.

A big thank you to our 2024 sponsors: 
Founding sponsors: Building Green
Premier sponsors: Sherwin-Williams
Sustaining sponsors: GAF Roofing, Milliken, Andersen Windows,
BlueScope Buildings
Green sponsors: EPIC Metals
Allied sponsors: TLC Engineering, Sierra Pacific Windows

New report from Smart Surfaces Coalition highlights strategies to reduce extreme heating and mitigate flooding

  • 1.  New report from Smart Surfaces Coalition highlights strategies to reduce extreme heating and mitigate flooding

    Posted 11-02-2021 01:26 PM

    This past year, cities across the country have witnessed record heat waves, urban heat deaths, and flooding. A new report from Smart Surfaces Coalition explores key strategies for cities to implement that reduce extreme heat, mitigate flooding, decrease climate change risk, and promote environmental justice. Using the city of Stockton in California, this case study report finds that the adoption of Smart Surfaces - including reflective, porous, and green surfaces, solar photovoltaics (PV) and trees - in California can improve air quality and public health, cut urban heat, and support equitable development. Their analysis demonstrates that city-wide adoption of Smart Surfaces in a hot- and mixed-dry climate like Stockton would:

    • Reduce summer peak temperature in downtown Stockton by 2.9°F-with the largest benefits accruing to low-income and minority neighborhoods
    • Deliver a $777 million net present value from adoption of Smart Surfaces, with a benefit-cost ratio of 6.9:1, and net savings to the city from the first year
    • Create 817 full-time jobs
    • Reduce 4.6 million tonnes of CO2e emissions over 30 years 

    Read more here >



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    Eana Bacchiocchi
    Specialist, Sustainability & Resilience Communications & Support
    The American Institute of Architects
    Washington DC
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