News Analysis

AIA Adopts Materials Pledge: Spec, and You Shall Receive

Inspired by the 2030 Commitment, the Materials Pledge looks at products holistically, from carbon impacts to social justice.

by P.J. Melton

What is a sustainable material? A big, complicated question, admits Lona Rerick, associate principal at ZGF architects. But the Architecture & Design Materials Pledge recently adopted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) starts to get at the answer, she said.

It’s time to stop playing Whac-A-Mole with manufacturers.

Originally published November 6, 2020 Reviewed January 11, 2021

Melton, P. (2021, January 11). AIA Adopts Materials Pledge: Spec, and You Shall Receive. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/news-analysis/aia-adopts-materials-pledge-spec-and-you-shall-receive

Also on BuildingGreen

The Promise of Biobased Materials—and How to Use Them Now

3 First Steps to Break the Chains of Slavery in the Supply Chain

A Framework for All: How AIA Is Democratizing Excellence

Grounding the AIA Materials Pledge in Data

New Directions for Mindful Materials