Committee on the Environment Community Blog

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Architects as Translators, not Evangelists: Sustainability in the Texas Hill Country

By Ellen Mitchell, AIA posted 2 days ago
Located deep in the heart of Texas where prairies begin to give way to rugged limestone cliffs and clear rivers cut through dry land, the Texas Hill Country is easy to romanticize. But practicing architecture here means respecting limits – water is not ...
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COTE Book Series: Upcoming & Past Reviews & Talks (including recording links)

By Kira Gould, Hon. AIA posted 10 days ago
COTE Books: A Series of Reviews & Talks we typically review & host talks about 3-4 books per year virtual events are hosted by local or state COTE groups interested in being a host or suggesting a book? email Kira Gould at kiragould@kiragould.com ...
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Q1 Cote Network Reminder

By Sean Costello, AIA posted 22 days ago
COTE Chapter Leaders, Happy Friday! This is a friendly reminder that our Q1 AIA COTE Network Call is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3rd at 2:00 PM ET . We’re looking forward to connecting and hearing updates from your chapter! Action ...
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Missed It Live? Watch the 2025 AIA COTE Top Ten Showcase On-Demand!

By bruce boul posted 23 days ago
If you weren’t able to join us live, we’ve got you covered. Yesterday’s AIA COTE Top Ten 2025 Showcase brought together project teams from across the country to share the thinking, rigor, and outcomes behind last year’s Top Ten Award–winning projects—each ...
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Voices of Advocacy: Chris Hellstern

By Lisa Richmond, Hon. AIA posted 29 days ago
An interview with Chris Hellstern, AIA, about Washington’s Buy Clean Buy Fair, the importance of alliances, and why architects make great advocates. Lisa Richmond and Joyce Raybuck A Career Built Around Sustainability ...
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AIA Statement on U.S. withdrawal from UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

By Lisa Ferretto, AIA posted 01-12-2026
AIA responds to U.S. withdrawal from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Statement below from www.aia.org/statement-us-withdrawal-unfccc Linked in post ___ " WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 9, 2026 The United States ...
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Fresh Perspectives: Meet Your Incoming COTE Leadership

By Katie Nordenson posted 12-11-2025
Pictured from left to right: Beth Brant, Timothy Lock, and Lisa Richmond. The Committee on the Environment (COTE) is thrilled to welcome three new Leadership Group members, each of whom will be an incredible addition to the team. Let’s learn a ...
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[Webinar] AIA COTE Top Ten 2025 Showcase: Celebrating Sustainable Design Excellence

By Lindsey Falasca, AIA posted 12-08-2025
Join us for an inspiring showcase of the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten 2025 Award Winners . The COTE Top Ten is the industry’s premier recognition program for sustainable design excellence. This pecha kucha-style webinar will highlight ...
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Letter from the Chair: Where do we go from here? The critical quest to widen the circle.

By Ellen Mitchell, AIA posted 12-08-2025
2025 was a tough year for sustainability. Federal incentives were repealed, renewable energy projects stalled, and even our language around environmental issues came under increased scrutiny. The sense of momentum we had been building over the last ...
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Together for a Living Future

By Kira Gould, Hon. AIA posted 12-03-2025
Together for a Living Future By Kira Gould, Hon. AIA As you consider the learning and gathering opportunities in the year ahead, I’m here to remind you about Living Future . This year, it is in Seattle -- the Pacific Northwest was the ...
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COTE Book Review: What We Can Do Right Now: Allison Anderson’s Climate Adaptation for Architects: A Design Toolkit

By Kira Gould, Hon. AIA posted 12-03-2025
Please join us for the COTE book talk about this book – with the author, Allison Anderson, FAIAI, and the reviewer, Megan Recher Campos, AIA – on 24 February 2026, from 12-1pm Eastern Time. The virtual event is being hosted by the AIA North Carolina COTE ...
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Share your Circular Economy Example Case Study

By Kjell Anderson, FAIA posted 12-03-2025
HI everyone - As you know, the circular economy space doesn’t have a long list of published case studies, so practitioners are not able to cite examples. We’d love to hear about your example! Some of us have created a brief survey, perhaps 5 minutes ...
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Q4 COTE Network Reminder

By Sean Costello, AIA posted 11-07-2025
Dear COTE Chapter Leaders, Happy Friday! This is a friendly reminder that our Q4 AIA COTE Network Call is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18th at 2:00 PM ET . We’re looking forward to connecting and hearing updates from your chapter! Action ...
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November 2025 AIA Corporate Partners COTE Newsletter Article: ROCKWOOL

By Ellie Falcon posted 11-03-2025
A systemic approach to retrofits: The benefits of incorporating stone wool How to choose the right approach and materials for retrofits, from AIA partner Rockwool. ROCKWOOL North America Each retrofit project is a unique and complex ...
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In Memory of Ganesh Nayak, AIA

By Ellen Mitchell, AIA posted 10-27-2025
If we’re lucky, we have people who come into our lives in big and small ways that leave deep and lasting imprints on who we are and how we view the world. Ganesh Nayak, AIA was one such person for me. I will be forever grateful for the time we spent ...
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Letter from the Chair: November / December 2025

By Robin Puttock, AIA posted 10-21-2025
The 2025 COTE goals that we drafted back in January are strikingly similar to the goals I have for my students. Collaboration. Transformation. Excellence. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to lead this remarkable group of professionals this ...
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Share Your Stories – COTE Network Spotlight Program

By Lindsey Falasca, AIA posted 10-16-2025
COTE is excited to launch a new COTE Network Spotlight Program and is seeking compelling examples of programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts led by local, regional, or state COTE groups that have made a meaningful impact in advancing sustainable ...
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Local COTE Spotlight: A Decade of Climate Dialogue in Western North Carolina

By Lindsey Falasca, AIA posted 10-13-2025
Across the country, AIA COTE state and local chapters are driving meaningful climate action through advocacy, public education, and community-centered engagement—advancing local resilience and sustainability. This spotlight series showcases specific initiatives ...
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Local COTE Spotlight: Advancing Building Energy Leadership in New Orleans

By Lindsey Falasca, AIA posted 10-13-2025
Across the country, AIA COTE state and local chapters are driving meaningful climate action through advocacy, public education, and community-centered engagement—advancing local resilience and sustainability. This spotlight series showcases specific initiatives ...
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COTE Book Review: Architectural Epidemiology

By Kira Gould, Hon. AIA posted 10-07-2025
COTE Book Review: Architectural Epidemiology: Architecture as a Mechanism for Designing a Healthier, More Sustainable and Resilient World by Adele Houghton, FAIA, and Carlos Castillo-Salgado Review by Theresa Mark and Z Smith, FAIA ...
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