Washington, DC – October 22, 2013 – Introduced in 2009, the American Institute of Architects has been overseeing the  2030 Commitment Program a voluntary initiative for AIA member firms and other entities in the built environment that asks these organizations to make a pledge, develop multi-year action plans, and implement steps that can advance AIA’s goal of carbon neutral buildings by the year 2030.  At the end of the 2012 calendar year, firms were asked to submit an assessment of their 2012 design work using a tool developed by the AIA three years ago. 

“Sustainability provides the prism through which architects and architecture firms are designing today,” said AIA Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ivy, FAIA.  “But we still need to have energy modeling become standard for every design project if we are going to meet our ultimate goal of carbon neutral buildings. Architects play a crucial role for clients and for planet Earth by predictive modeling, clearly demonstrating how it can lead to long-term economic benefits through a building’s lifespan.”

The key findings from a new report,  Measuring Industry Progress towards 2030,include:

• 110 firms submitted reports – a 6% increase in the number of reports received in 2011
• 1.4 billion gross square feet (GSF) represented in this data – a 120% increase from 2011
• 57% of total GSF using energy modeling to predict operational energy consumption
• 45% of total gross square footage for which actual energy use will be collected – a 9% increase from 2010
• 37% average Predicted Energy Use Intensity reduction reported by firms – an increase of 2% from 2011
• 17% average firm reduction in Lighting Power Density for interior projects – a decrease of 4% from 2011
• 14% of total gross square footage meeting the current 60% carbon reduction target – an increase of 2% from 2011

In addition this year, for the first time, data shared on energy use by specific project type and sizes enhances the report’s direct impact on future designs. It can serve as a valuable resource for all types and sizes of architecture practices.

About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the highest standards in professional practice. Embracing their responsibility to serve society, AIA members engage civic and government leaders and the public in helping find needed solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit  www.aia.org.



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Scott Frank
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