OVERVIEW
There are the signature push-the-envelope green projects with flexible budgets that win awards and have case studies written about them. And then there is real life.
Everyday clients are concerned about cost, schedule, and specific programmatic needs that can push sustainability to the back burner.
Showing how green and healthy buildings can be built on a budget is one approach to this issue, but it’s not the starting place, according to top designers. These experts start by trying to deeply understand what the client values—and then go about helping clients achieve their mission within the limitations of the project.
IN-DEPTH
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Owner’s Project Requirements: What It Is, What It Could Be
September 7, 2016Primer
Clients, designers, and commissioning agents don’t always get what they need out of the OPR. Some teams are trying to change that.
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Building Products Matter Even More Than We Thought
September 7, 2016Op-Ed
Operational energy use is critical, but materials might be an even bigger part of the solution to climate change and other pressing environmental issues.
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How RECs Work—and Why You Might Not Own Your Clean Energy
February 7, 2017Primer
Even if you buy into a solar farm or host an array, someone else can claim the benefits. Here’s how to get what you expect.
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Work Globally, Design Locally
February 7, 2017Feature Article
In today’s global economy, American architects work on six continents—but that doesn’t mean they should all have identical glass towers.
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Embracing the Economy as a Design Challenge
April 4, 2017Feature Article
How architects, community developers, and others are experimenting with new models to support progressive design.
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Ethnography: A Creative Tool for Human-Centered Design
May 2, 2017Primer
Social science research methods can generate innovative and sophisticated design solutions that respond to human needs and cultural values.
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Why We Let Ourselves Do Mediocre Work
August 7, 2017Blog Post
Architects and designers want to do exceptional, challenging sustainability work. Why are we waiting for the unicorn client?
