As we find ourselves amid a global health pandemic, we must look to hope, collaboration and transparency to collectively thrive. We hope this newsletter brings you some joy, inspiration, and encouragement to buoy your spirits to continue tackling the most urgent issues at hand, one step at a time. Billie Tsien's article on Measure 5: Design for Economy is a beautifully poignant perspective that goes beyond just dollars and cents. We've also included updates from Grassroots, CarbonPositive, Large Firm Roundtable, COVID-19 resources and more.
Many of you are focused on business continuity, the health and safety of your family and colleagues, and resilience in our communities. AIA is updating our Disaster Assistance and COVID-19 resources for architects pages regularly with resources to help. We can all contribute to flattening the infection curve with individual best practices: wash your hands often, reduce community spread through awareness of asymptomatic propagation of the virus, and consider how we can support our healthcare systems by donating blood, other much needed supplies, or professional services.
Grassroots in NOLA February 18-20, 2020 leveraged our internal #CitizenArchitect. This annual AIA leadership event invites component leaders and chapter executives to convene for updates from AIA national, network across regions, and kickoff campaigning for AIA National leadership positions. Jane Frederick shared that 11,000 members had already participated in the White House letter-writing campaign to oppose a federal mandate on civic architectural style. Peter Exley’s remarks during the opening session focused on extreme climate, resilience, adaptation, and the leadership architects can provide. The opening session also featured an opportunity to get to know members running for the AIA Board, which influences the priorities and policies for the Institute. Get to know the candidates and exert your influence at a local level with your component’s leadership. Find out how you can make your (green) voice heard in the AIA elections later this year.
Carbon Positive ‘20, a conference hosted by Architecture 2030 and Architect magazine, was well attended with powerful and diverse content focused on the need for deep cuts in embodied and operational carbon. Ed Mazria reminded architects, engineers, and others that 2030 is the new 2050. The Large Firm Roundtable also participated and shared CEOs’ Countdown on Carbon commitment.
Additionally, LFRT CEOs and their sustainable design leaders had planned to be in Washington DC the week of 3/23 to lobby congress on two environmental bills: the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, the same bill I testified on last month, and the CLEAN Future Act, a national climate action plan that ensures a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050. Following my testimony, I spoke with Architectural Record about my testimony and AIA’s leadership for their Climate Champions column.
And to continue on the Advocacy theme, if you still haven’t voted in the US Presidential Primaries, check out the profiles AIA created for each candidate summarizing their position on six top issues.
We also celebrate AIA female leadership and empowerment during Women's History Month and recognize how far we’ve come since COTE’s founding in 1990. With the help of so many volunteers -- THANK YOU -- we continue to look forward.
Next month, you'll see announcements of the COTE Top Ten Awards and the winners of the Top Ten Student Competition on Earth Day. We will be back with the next edition of COTE news in May. Until then, be well and meet virtually.
Julie Hiromoto
AIA 2020 COTE Chair