OVERVIEW
It’s easy to get caught up in the details—earning one more LEED point or getting that documentation you need for recycled content.
But it’s a lot easier to achieve all the project goals if the owner and the whole project team are in agreement about why you’re putting in all this work in the first place. Stuff like:
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slowing down climate change
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dealing with global water shortages
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avoiding depletion of nonrenewable resources
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preventing public health problems associated with manufacturing
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righting social wrongs
Here we set the scene, providing context that can help get—and keep—everyone on the same page about project goals.
IN-DEPTH
Filter results:
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Embodied Carbon on a Roll
October 9, 2018Blog Post
The carbon that’s emitted when we produce materials and construct our buildings is finally getting the attention it deserves.
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The Urgency of Embodied Carbon and What You Can Do about It
September 10, 2018Feature Article
Building materials emit massive amounts of carbon long before the lights go on. Here’s how thoughtful design can reduce global warming impact.
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AIA Ethics Code Now Covers Sustainability in Depth
September 24, 2018News Analysis
The AIA Code of Ethics now addresses specific environmental priorities like water, energy, and climate change.
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What I Learned on the Way to Enhancing AIA’s Code of Ethics
September 24, 2018Op-Ed
Getting stronger sustainability language into the AIA Code of Ethics wasn’t easy.
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Social Sustainability and Architecture
July 9, 2018Primer
Architects can increase social value through thoughtful design of the built environment.
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Can Buildings Teach Sustainable Behavior?
June 5, 2018News Brief
Recent research studies have aimed to determine the impact that high performance design in schools has on education for sustainability.
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Farming in Cities Worth $33 Billion a Year
May 8, 2018News Analysis
A recent study estimates the global value of the ecosystem services provided by urban agriculture.
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Zero-Energy Buildings for All
April 25, 2018Blog Post
There is increasing movement for buildings to reach net-zero energy, but they can't do it alone. Here's how to fix the system.
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Sustainable Design Literacy: A Foundation for Transformed Practice
July 10, 2017Feature Article
How well does the average designer know sustainable design? And how are the best firms supporting increased knowledge—and action?
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2018 AIA COTE Top Ten Build Community
April 19, 2018News Analysis
The 2018 AIA COTE Top Ten winning projects combine small ecological footprints with big social benefits.
