January 2, 2006—Through its Board of Directors, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has adopted position statements to promote sustainable design and resource conservation to achieve a minimum reduction of fifty percent of the current consumption level of fossil fuels used to construct and operate buildings by the year 2010.
In order to accomplish this goal, the AIA will collaborate with other national and international organizations, the scientific research community, and the public health community. As part of this initiative, the AIA will also develop and promote the integration of sustainability into the curriculum for the education of architects and architecture students, so that this core principle becomes a guiding mindset for current and future architects.
“Buildings account for forty-eight percent of US energy consumption and generate far more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector,” said R.K. Stewart, FAIA, facilitator of the AIA Sustainability Summit Task Force.
“As architects, we must accept responsibility for our role in creating the built environment. We feel it is incumbent upon the architecture profession to alter our actions and encourage both our clients and the entire design and construction industry to join us in plotting a course of measurable changes that will improve the quality of life for everyone.”
According to the AIA, an undertaking of this magnitude will require a sustained effort over the next ten to fifteen years, especially in educating clients about their role in the success of this effort. For the complete AIA new position statements, visit the AIA Web site.
