AIA 2030 Peer-to-Peer Network

Hello,

I am trying to create - or find - some guidelines to share with the project managers in my firm to help them determine which of their projects they should and should not include when reporting work to the DDx related to energy use and lighting density. We haven't made it to embodied carbon yet. 

I do remember at least one discussion like this on the forum from some time back, but can't recall a resolution or find the thread so hope everyone will forgive me posing the following questions:

1) Should we include non-enclosed structures in the whole building category?  Eg: pavilions with an electrical load of some lighting and perhaps a couple of convenience outlets

2) Should we include enclosed, but non-conditioned structures? Eg: naturally ventilated buildings

3) Does anyone set threshold limits? Eg: "we only report structures over 'x'sf" or other criteria which might rule out typically very low energy intensity projects (sheds, barns, restrooms, similar)

4) Has anyone tried reporting a stand-alone restroom building and, if so, what area use type did you classify it as for establishing the baseline EUI?

5) Is there a resource which defines what makes a renovation a "major renovation"?  Or is that left to us to define a percentage of building area/cost value/change in energy load?

6) Have I overlooked a resource which already establishes all of these things?

Thanks to anyone who has input on any of these or can point me to what I've missed.

------------------------------
Pamela da Graca AIA
The Arkitex Studio, Inc.
Bryan TX
------------------------------

Managing Projects - DDx Help - Confluence

------------------------------
Heather Gayle Holdridge Assoc. AIA
Lake Flato Architects
San Antonio TX
------------------------------

Hi Pamela - 

The FAQ section of the DDx help feature (link posted by Heather) states that the DDx has functional limits of 100 sf for project size. 

When I have questions about what should be reported, I reflect on the purpose of the 2030 Commitment - to drive change within our profession and foster literacy about energy and carbon metrics. Each firm that reports has the opportunity to customize what would help drive this change while staying in the spirit of the commitment of "reporting everything" not just a few high profile projects. The more you report, the more information you have going forward. Perhaps for the smaller buildings, you want to make sure that they are fossil-fuel free and low embodied carbon compared to a baseline business as usual construction. I would encourage you to report all you can so that you can begin to see trends and where there are opportunities to improve. Each reporting year you may "tweak" what you are asking PMs to contribute. It is all part of the journey of learning how to design towards neutral and climate positive. 

------------------------------
Alison Nash AIA
Sasaki
Cambridge MA
------------------------------

Thanks to everyone for posting the DDx help pages (and great answer Alison)! Responding to a few points with details here:

• If a space is conditioned we recommend reporting it if it's over 100 GSF but below 5 million GSF.
• Typically we recommend excluding unconditioned space or parking that is unconditioned unless you've included it in modeling, you can find more guidance here on the use type help page.
• For major renovation it's really at the discretion of the firm to decide how much has been altered
• Check out the DDx help FAQ page for other useful tips

------------------------------
Melanie De Cola
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
------------------------------

Thanks for the responses.  That helps confirm a few things about where there is existing guidance and where we'll need to develop our own standards to fill in the gaps.

------------------------------
Pamela da Graca AIA
The Arkitex Studio, Inc.
Bryan TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-26-2025 12:25 PM
From: Melanie De Cola
Subject: Project Eligibility for DDx Reporting

Thanks to everyone for posting the DDx help pages (and great answer Alison)! Responding to a few points with details here:

• If a space is conditioned we recommend reporting it if it's over 100 GSF but below 5 million GSF.
• Typically we recommend excluding unconditioned space or parking that is unconditioned unless you've included it in modeling, you can find more guidance here on the use type help page.
• For major renovation it's really at the discretion of the firm to decide how much has been altered
• Check out the DDx help FAQ page for other useful tips

------------------------------
Melanie De Cola
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
------------------------------

Pamela,

With respect to #5, we generally use the following definition, as provided on the 2030 FAQ at the link below.

https://www.architecture2030.org/about/faq/#toggle-id-18

"A Major Renovation is any renovation of a building where (a) the total cost of the renovation related to the building envelope or the technical building systems is higher than 25 % of the value of the building, excluding the value of the land upon which the building is situated, or (b) more than 25 % of the surface of the building envelope undergoes renovation."

This definition is still a bit confusing to us, as the building "value" is a somewhat vague term - does that mean market value, original cost to build, cost to build it today, etc.? Ultimately we make a judgement call whether or not to include it in the DDx loosely based on this. Personally, I would not include an open-air structure or restroom, but would include a naturally ventilated building if it had a typical occupancy use type. Hope this helps and best of luck.

------------------------------
Kevin Miller AIA
Architectural Nexus
Salt Lake City UT
------------------------------