Committee on the Environment

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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

What does it take to make a sustainable building (Part1: The big picture)

  • 1.  What does it take to make a sustainable building (Part1: The big picture)

    Posted 06-02-2021 10:29 AM

    What Does it Take to Make Sustainable Buildings? (Part 1- The big picture) 

    The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Isaiah 24:5
    Energy Use of Buildings
    One doesn't have to be a Christian to see the power of these words. Even though, the reference isn't to the environment, one can easily apply it there, since parts of humanity have ignored the laws of physics as well as the ethical mandate to be a good steward of the earth for so long, that it is appropriate to say that "the earth lies defiled".   This article is about how buildings, which contribute about 1/3 of all CO2 emissions, can be made more sustainable. Let's just say, it take a lot more than LEED certification. But let's take things in order.
    Globally buildings make up about 39% of CO2 emissions
    Because of the large impact of buildings, there are now enough aspirational goals for making buildings perform better to make one's head spin. But goals and targets are not solutions.
    Today's investors, developers, architects, engineers and buyers are expected to consider energy usage, carbon emissions, up-front carbon, operational carbon and life cycle carbon to just mention a few terms. Net zero carbon... READ FULL ARTICLE


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    [Klaus] Philipsen FAIA
    Archplan Inc. Philipsen Architects
    Baltimore MD
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