Committee on the Environment

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee on the Environment and Codes and Standards .
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I'm a very reasonable man (I hear my co-workers coughing and hacking at that statement); but, truly, I'm very reasonable - as long as I'm being dealt with honestly, and as long as I'm getting value for my dollar (in this case, my AIA dues). 

The AIA has been (and still is) actively marketing (to me and other practitioners - see: http://www.aia.org/advocacy/AIAB085336 ) "necessary practice-evolution" - in the guise of a Trojan horse.  It's called the International Green Construction Code (IGCC); and the façade is built of "responsibility to the environment", "intelligent, healthy buildings", "conservation", and even "survival as a profession" - but it's still a Trojan horse.

Christopher Green's genuine and passionate blog attempts to create the impression that embracing the "horse" is the responsibility of all practicing architects - and we should "chill" because our "smart, dedicated AIA colleagues" have been looking out for our best interests throughout the code-writing and editing process.  Our "colleagues" are definitely smart, and they certainly are dedicated - but, to what end.  If the effort was toward an open and honest appraisal of the specifics of the IGCC - disseminated to all professionals - acknowledging the pitfalls within its contents - and, providing specific measures for remediation and resolution (prior to adoption) - the effort failed miserably.  What hasn't failed is the tenacity of the ICC; because, regardless of the efforts of our colleagues, the IGCC continues to craft a Trojan horse - responsible on the outside, but filled with onerous toxins on the inside - set loose after acceptance within our architectural practices.  All the noble intentions haven't changed the reality of what the IGCC is, and the AIA hasn't given us value or honesty in promoting this "beast".

In my previous blogs on the AIA Knowledge Net, I've refrained from discussing "evolution", "sustainability", and "responsibility".  I've primarily focused on facts - as viewed from the perspective of a practicing architect.  My intent was (and is) to spread specifics and freshness in a sea of generalities and platitudes.  My effort is to raise awareness and disseminate knowledge in the void enabled by the AIA (I think that's what the AIA Knowledge Net is designed for).  If I've ruffled feathers - that's good - but, don't take it personally, take action.

My questions remain:  Where's the open dialogue?  Where's the dissemination of specifics? Where's the individual and practical education?  Where's the cost / benefit analysis? Where's the action plan for enablement? And most importantly, where's the AIA?  Christopher Green wrote "around" those questions without answering any - and, it's time for specific answers, not visions.  It's time for the AIA to drop the façade - to strip the Trojan horse - to reveal its contents - and to enable its incorporation without destructive consequences.  It's time to smother us with truth and honesty - without the "horse" you-know-what.  It's time for the AIA to be reasonable, so I can remain reasonable.

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George Tracy AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Senior Associate
Hermes Architects, Inc.
Houston TX
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George,

Interesting questions about the "Trojan Horse" that you call the IGCC.  Of course you do realize there are two sides to every Trojan Horse - inside and outside.  Where you sit can make a lot of difference on what a Trojan Horse means; whether you are inside, or outside the horse.  And, as you no doubt know, the conclusion of the Trojan Horse story is that those inside opened the gates allowing access to an inpentrable fortress.

What has happened with the IGCC Trojan Horse is that AIA is on the inside and has had the opportunity to help guide the project so that when complete we (architects) will have the ability to open the gates and gain access to the inpenetrable fortress of green codes - and by extension perhaps more and more codes.

But you ask for detailed responses, not platitudes and sales pitches for the benefits that my result from the development of the code and AIA's involvement in its development.

My questions remain:  Where's the open dialogue? 

Every model code since the development of the initial ICC Codes in 1995 have been developed in what is characterized as the "governmental consensus process."  The one remarkable exception is NFPA 5000, which was developed using the ANSI consensus process.  In either case the process is open and available to anyone interested in voicing an opinion or provide a suggestion.  This past Friday (March 25th) ICC posted the first code changes to the Public Version 2.0 (the final draft) of the IgCC.  Anyone can go to the ICC web site and download the proposed code changes http://www.iccsafe.org:8888/CS/IGCC/Pages/PublicVersionDevelopment.aspx.  This is now your opportunity to directly be involved in the discussion of what will be in the IgCC.

Hearings on all these changes will take place in Dallas, Texas on May 16 - 23, immediately after the AIA Convention.  You may either attend the hearings and speak directly to the hearing committee (that includes architects) regarding these changes or, you can send your comments to the AIA Codes & Standards staff; Jessyca Henderson (jesscycahenderson@aia.org) or Mark Wills (markwilld@aia.org), who will be working with various volunteers and consultants to craft positions on these various changes.

Where's the dissemination of specifics?

see above ...

Where's the individual and practical education?

During the AIA Grassroots a half-day program on the IgCC, the technical content, political environment, opportunities and pitfalls was presented.  While perhaps a bit of a glancing blow through a very complicated subject you must understand that the process isn't finished, so what should be taught?  Do you want a day-long program on a code that may (and likely will) undergo significant changes within the next 6 months, and when it is published as the 2012 IgCC may not include what was taught?  That doesn't seem to be very practical.

Where's the cost / benefit analysis?

Virtually every architect (unless they have been on sabbatical for the past 10 years studying in the Himalayas) knows that there has been a concerted effort to create and implement "green," "sustainable," "high performance" design and construction requirements.  To save time I won't repeat the list of various codes and standards that exist or are soon to find their way into local agencies, state agencies and federal agencies requiring that the architect design to these standards.  I don't have full data on this, but I did learn a long time ago, if you don't prepare for what is going to be required by a large number of your clients, the cost can be enormous in lost commissions, while the benefit may be an extended vacation because of a lack of work.

Where's the action plan for enablement?

On the ICC web pages and on AIA's web page, the process for development of the IgCC has been posted for at least two years.  Enablement I assume means taking the concepts into reality and then putting them into practice.  Of course you must complete the concept prior to beginning to put them into practice, so the fist step of completion of the code is fast approaching.  AIA has includes several seminars on this code and the concepts within it as part of the upcoming convention.  I would expect that there will be a great deal of discussion on "next steps" and other "hurdles" that must be overcome once the code is complete, but until it is complete there is nothing to enable.

And most importantly, where's the AIA?  Christopher Green wrote "around" those questions without answering any - and, it's time for specific answers, not visions.  It's time for the AIA to drop the façade - to strip the Trojan horse - to reveal its contents - and to enable its incorporation without destructive consequences.  It's time to smother us with truth and honesty - without the "horse" you-know-what.  It's time for the AIA to be reasonable, so I can remain reasonable.

The truth is that you are obviously knowledgeable enough to grasp the importance of this new code, now you can see the contents, you can enable its incorporation and make it more or less destructive by your involvement in the process.  Trojan Horses are a funny thing, by being on the inside it can appear to be very dark and confining.  It can appear to those inside that they are easily overwhelmed by the uncomfortable odds they face if discovered.  But if the plan is executed and the troops maintain their focus, they can overcome the odds and end up victorious.  It depends on you George - get the document - look at the proposed changes - prepare comments - attend the hearing and testify, or share your thoughts on the SPECIFICS!

We are close to getting a significantly better code because AIA member volunteers were aggressively involved in drafting a far better code than would have been developed without their involvement.  Now it is up to those that are reasonable and are willing to go the last few hours of being inside that wooden horse.  Want to be along for the ride?

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David Collins FAIA
Preview Group, Inc.
Cincinnati OH
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