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ARCHITECTS

Sustainability is crucial to architects for several compelling reasons as it directly impacts the design and construction of buildings, which architects lay the groundwork for both. Their job is to understand the entire scope of a project, from the client’s goals and expectations to the regulatory landscape of the building codes and requirements for the project’s region, all while upholding environmental responsibility throughout the process. Below touches on key takeaways from the intersection of architects and sustainability in general, and why architects play such a vital role in shaping the built environment.

Environmental Responsibility – Through architects, sustainable design practices aim to minimize resource consumption, reduce energy use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance a building’s longevity. By shifting their mindset to prioritize environmentally responsible design in a project, architects are able to consider environmental, social, and economic impacts including but not limited to improved occupant well-being, better building performance, and lower operating costs.

Market Positioning – Architects who specialize in sustainable design can differentiate themselves in the market and attract clients who value sustainability. This can be a competitive advantage, enhancing their professional reputation and opening up opportunities for new projects, as more clients seek environmentally responsible design solutions.

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CARBON ►

Playing a crucial role in the transition to a lower-carbon economy, architects are now tasked with addressing not only the operational impacts of the buildings they design, but also the impacts associated with the materials and construction processes over the buildings’ full life cycle – the project’s embodied carbon. As the building designers, architects are empowered to drive significant change and reduce embodied carbon in their projects through design and material selection strategies. Strategies include prioritizing reuse and retrofit projects on existing buildings rather than new construction, reducing below-grade construction through design, and optimizing envelope design.

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ENERGY ►

Architects are the first building block for energy considerations in the built environment. Optimizing energy and efficiencies throughout the planning and design process provides many opportunities to streamline projects throughout construction, daily operations, and its ongoing life cycle. Energy modeling ensures all systems are maximizing energy and operational efficiencies from the start, saving time and money compared to when energy efficiency measures are retrofitted at the end of a project. Prioritizing efficiencies also drives new and improved technology applications and materials, meeting the needs of client with measurable and verifiable project goals.

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CIRCULARITY ►

Architects can play a vital role in the reduction of waste. Thorough material selection, to thinking about disassembly and reuse in terms of design, to educating the owner and construction team, architects are the point person for waste reduction even though it may not always seem that way. As the building designers, architects are empowered to drive significant change and reduce waste in their projects through various strategies, including but not limited to prioritizing reuse and retrofit projects on existing buildings rather than new construction.

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WATER ►

When designing a building of any type, architects must think proactively about water reuse and incorporate efficiency systems in the early stages of the process. Examples of water management systems to consider include grey water design in lavatory facilities and the potential for rainwater capture, such as a ‘green roof system’.