Everybody has a responsibility to the planet, but for architects and building owners, the stakes are even higher. With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of carbon emissions, every new building needs to be designed with climate change in mind.
With this responsibility comes an opportunity to find solutions that make a positive impact. Every project is a chance to improve occupants’ lives, strengthen your community, and reduce your carbon footprint. We find the best way to accomplish these goals is through a team-oriented, collaborative approach.
On each project, four self-managed teams contribute their passions and knowledge. Our Sustainability Team—also known as the Green Team—assists project teams, tracks building performance data, and sets firm-wide goals. With their leadership, sustainability has become foundational to our design process.
This article will discuss the history of the Sustainability Team, their process, and how their work benefits your project.
History of the Sustainability Team
We began the Sustainability Team in 2007 to promote sustainable practices and find innovative ways to address the climate crisis through design. Initially, the team ran project reviews, but over time, their role expanded, helping us ingrain sustainability into the fabric of our culture.
In 2008, the Sustainability Team pushed us to join the 2030 Challenge, an imperative that aims to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2030. Later, we signed onto the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Commitment, which encourages architects to report modeled energy use.
The 2030 Commitment helps architects benchmark projects, adopt new strategies, and drive the profession forward. To date, more than 1000 firms have signed the 2030 Commitment.
The Sustainability Team’s latest effort is our Sustainability Action Plan. Publicly available, the plan sets minimum sustainability standards for every project we undertake and “stretch goals” that we seek to achieve.
The Sustainability Team Process
To maintain our participation in the 2030 Commitment, the Sustainability Team oversees data collection and reporting. They also research new technologies and assist with their adoption.
On each project, the team aids in energy modeling, daylighting studies, solar feasibility studies, and life cycle cost analysis. They work closely with project teams and lead conversations about building verification systems like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), WELL, and Living Building Challenge (LBC).
The Sustainability Team also collaborates with our other self-managed teams. Along with the Design Quality team, they are responsible for implementing the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence.
The Framework harnesses creative solutions to complex problems by outlining ten principles of good design:
- Integration
- Equitable Communities
- Ecosystems
- Water
- Economy
- Energy
- Occupant well-being
- Resources
- Change
- Discovery
These ten principles provide a holistic starting point for sustainable design, helping designers think about occupants, communities, ecology, and energy consumption.
How the Sustainability Team Impacts Your Project
Although their work is largely internal, the Sustainability Team directly impacts your project. Energy modeling, daylighting studies, and life-cycle cost analyses maximize value and help you reduce long-term costs associated with energy and maintenance.
They also help you better understand your options. Whether or not you use a third-party verification system, you will understand the benefits and costs, so you can make decisions that align with your long-term goals.
Learn More About Sustainable Design
A building project offers the chance to reduce your carbon footprint and benefit your community. The Sustainability Team has deepened our commitment to the environment by implementing new processes and technologies and leading our participation in the 2030 Challenge and AIA 2030 Commitment.
At the same time, they hold everyone accountable by setting firm-wide performance standards. Sustainable design strategies are implemented on every project, leading to resilient, high-performing spaces with lower operating costs.
In our experience, utilizing a third-party verification system is the most effective way to achieve a high-performing project. Learn about the most popular building verification systems to determine which aligns with your goals.