Join the 2025 AIA Colorado Committee on the Environment for the session “People, Planet, Design: A Practical Guide for Realizing Architecture’s Potential” with Corey Squire, AIA. Why do some firms consistently create healthy, high-performing buildings, while for others sustainability remains a struggle? Do they have the right clients? The ones with big budgets and ambitions? Or have they just figured out how to prioritize what’s important? This session explores how a practice can meaningfully address climate, health, and equity on every project. Using Corey’s book, People, Planet, Design, as a guide, this talk will present a practical path for realizing every project’s potential.
Speaker Bio: Corey Squire, AIA, is Sustainability Director at Bora Architecture & Interior in Portland Oregon, and a member of the AIA’s Strategic Council. He lectures nationally on a range of sustainability-related topics and was a creator of AIA Framework for Design Excellence, a resource that’s actively redefining excellence in the built environment. Corey is the author of the recently published book, People, Planet, Design: A Practical Guide to Realizing Architecture’s Potential.
Monday evening, October 28th, AIA Colorado’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) led a session exploring embodied carbon within the context of building design and construction. A few of the topics discussed included:
Understanding operational carbon and embodied carbon within the context of building design and construction.
Identify key tools, benchmarks, and metrics for measuring and tracking embodied carbon in buildings.
Understanding how to engage your project team in the discussion of carbon reduction strategies.
Gain insight to the benefits and impacts of reducing embodied, operational, and refrigerant carbon through case study projects.
Illustrate the benefits of participation in the AIA 2030 Commitment and supporting the effort to reduce emissions and change the practice of architecture.
September 11th, AIA Colorado’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) led a session unpacking 2030 Commitment implementation & case studies. Hear from COTE and AIA members as they present multiple aspects to the 2030 Commitment.
A few of the topics discussed include:
An overview of Session #1, including 2030 Commitment current goals and benchmarks.
Examples case study projects targeting net zero energy and water efficiency.
Key tools and resources used during project development to support goals for efficiency and meeting AIA 2030 benchmarks.
Understand how fluctuations in modeling impact and support decision making during the design process.
The benefits of having an integrated team support the project at all phases of development.
June 20, 2024, AIA Colorado’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) led a session unpacking the 2030 Commitment. Hear from COTE and AIA members as they present multiple aspects to the 2030 Commitment.
A few of the topics discussed include:
An understanding of the origins and current requirements of the AIA 2030 Commitment. What is it and how to become a signatory.
Examples of successful and implemented Sustainability Action Plans. They aren’t just a paper weight!
Compare how different size firms have found success with joining the 2030 Commitment and tracking performance data on projects.
Investigate the online data collection platform called the DDx and what types of metrics firms are asked to collect on their projects in regard to operational and embodied carbon.
From November 29th to December 12th, 2023, I had the remarkable opportunity to participate in the 28th Conference of the Parties UAE (COP28), held at the Expo City, Dubai. COP28 marked a significant milestone as it concluded the first-ever ‘global stocktake’ of worldwide efforts to combat climate change under the Paris Agreement. The Conference was extended due to unprecedented negotiations that led to a groundbreaking commitment to transition away from all fossil fuels.
Expo City, renowned for hosting the six-month long 2020 Expo, showcased meticulous planning and inspirational architecture. Internationally acclaimed architects designed pavilions for participating countries, creating an awe-inspiring 1,083-acre site divided into three zones: Opportunity, Sustainability, and Mobility. This organizational structure, inherited from the Expo, was mirrored in COP28, influencing conference topics, presentations, exhibitions, and special events.
COP28,
Unknown-2 | Mary Morissette, FIAA
COP28,
Unknown-1 | Mary Morissette, FIAA
The COP venue comprised two distinct zones: the Blue Zone, reserved for accredited delegates (which AIA was) and where the official business is conducted, and the Green Zone, accessible to the public. Published statistics indicate that over 500,000 attended the Blue and Green Zones over the two weeks. Although my experiences were confined to the Green Zone, the opportunities for engagement were extensive. It was like being at 3-4 AIA conferences simultaneously.
My focus centered on topics such as the impact of climate on health, renewable energy research, and emerging technologies, yielding several key takeaways:
Countries globally commit to “1.5 Alive”, striving to keep the world’s average temperature within 1.5 degrees Celsius of preindustrial levels. Achieving this requires a 40% reduction in global emissions over the next six years.
Not only is there a focus on renewable energy, but research and exploration into forward thinking technologies such as solar fields in space and carbon sequestration strategies.
There were important conversations around nuclear fusion, including the possibilities for autonomous power sources including for individual homes.
The electric grid is one of the most limiting factors to energy distribution. And, with the advancements in hydrogen power, a gas grid needs to be established.
Dialogues centered on using analytics and AI for precise predictions of geographic impacts due to severe weather conditions, aiding in saving lives and reducing property destruction.
The refugee crisis continues to escalate unprecedented needs for housing and basic essentials. Companies are aiding in this through quickly deployable emergency housing units. One company stated they have deployed over 90,000 emergency housing units.
The cost of climate change is a significant topic. There is little agreement on paying for the destruction caused by weather events, or investment in new technologies to mitigate climate change. New financial methodologies need to be established.
Yet, with all the promising advancements, one presenter noted that there are 200 coal plants under construction in China.
Climate impacts have no boundaries, and the complexities are limitless. We truly are all in this together and the level of intellect and ambition going toward solving climate issues are impressive.
COP28,
Unknown-3 | Mary Morissette, FIAA
COP28,
Unknown-4 | Mary Morissette, FIAA
The primary reason for visiting Dubai was COP28, but there were so many other amazing experiences to be had. We visited the Museum of the Future, toured Masdar City which was designed to be a sustainable eco-city, and went to Abu Dhabi driving by the Saadiyat Cultural District which includes the Louvre, Zayed National Museum, and other significant architectural projects.
Additionally, I had the privilege of meeting a US architect overseeing the Middle East operations of an international firm. He shared interesting information about the region, including the fact that most of the buildings in Dubai are less than 25 years old. There are older areas, but the extensive city Dubai has become is new, including the well-known Palm. I also learned there is a second airport being planned and construction of the Dubia Creek Tower, set to surpass the Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building. The dense urban area around the marina showcased impressive high-rise buildings, complemented by Dubai’s efficient metro system.
On our last night in Dubai, we had dinner with AIA leadership attending the conference. Engaging in lively discussions, we explored the leadership and innovation architects can contribute to the evolving climate conversation. Attending COP28 solidified my belief that architects can significantly and positively impact the built and natural environments.
(These observations are written with the awareness of the human rights issues associated with the UAE and construction of Expo City and are only intended to share my personal experiences while in the UAE.)
AIA has recently announced the 2023 COTE Top Ten. AIA Colorado member Kyleen Rockwell, AIA, reflects on her involvement helping to propel the UC San Diego North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood project, a place designed to promote physical and mental well-being, support the school’s environmental commitments, and foster community connections.
| UC San Diego North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood
| UC San Diego North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood
I was ecstatic when the AIA announced the 2023 COTE Top Ten Award Recipients to see that UC San Diego North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood had been honored with an award.
From 2018-2021, I had the privilege of working on this project during my time with the great team at HKS. We were fortunate to have a client in UC San Diego who was committed to data driven design and the Framework for Design Excellence was ingrained in the design process from start to finish.
I was personally involved in the building performance analysis for the six buildings on the campus. I worked with the design team to integrate key massing analysis that focused on solar access and exterior thermal comfort, identified through annual daylight analysis strategies to maximize daylight levels while keeping glare discomfort within imperceptible thresholds, and had the opportunity to use dynamic energy simulations throughout the design process to track our predicted energy performance to target both a LEED platinum performance and the AIA 2030 Commitment.
The energy efficiency measures were a dream for a building performance analyst to bring to fruition:
Natural ventilation controls that balanced energy efficiency, thermal comfort, CO2 levels, and confirmed no overheating occurred throughout the year.
A central plant providing chilled water and hot water to the campus at high efficiency levels.
On site renewable energy in the form of solar panels and a micro-anaerobic digester.
Lightwells in the subterranean parking garage that reduced lighting power energy.
With my current position as a Sr. Building Performance Analyst at Interface Engineering, I am thrilled to be working at a company who has collaborated on multiple COTE Top Ten Award Projects and am hopeful to have the opportunity to work with other AIA Colorado firms on their projects to further optimize and push the boundaries of building performance.
— Kyleen Rockwell PE, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Senior Building Performance Analyst Interface Engineering, Inc.
| UC San Diego North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood
| UC San Diego North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood
To most, a room full of architects carrying on about climate policy on a cold Monday in January hardly feels like a great evening. It’s hard enough to get a few architects together after work for happy hour, let alone to talk state politics. But the crowd turned out to hear Senator Chris Hansen (District 31) lay out recent policy wins in the fight against the climate crisis and espouse on his vision for how to progress those wins into the future.
Those that are familiar with AIA Colorado’s involvement with the state legislature will be familiar with Senator Hansen. He has met with the Government Affairs Committee and numerous AIA members on a variety of occasions, notably on issues pertaining to embodied carbon in building materials and other bills related to the built environment and changing climate. Senator Hansen has worked hand in hand with AIA Colorado on legislation and consistently seeks input and support from members. In short, the relationship that the architecture community has with Senator Hansen is one that we typically strive for because he gives us a welcoming and informed voice in the state capital.
As Senator Hansen moved through his presentation, he covered some recent policy wins in Colorado, most notably SB21-072 (modernizing the state electric grid) and SB23-016 (statewide greenhouse gas reduction). These were significant steps forward in combatting the climate crisis and were led by Senator Hansen with support from AIA Colorado, among others. As he continued, Senator Hansen covered a broad range of topics, from how Colorado and other western states can work together to create a resilient electric grid based on renewable energy, to strategies that ensure just transitions for communities built around coal plants that are being phased out. He also touched on the need to revise building codes to remove parking minimum mandates in dense areas in which it makes sense and how that can be supported through a more robust and reliable transit network. The room notably perked up at this, as nearly all architects can relate to the struggle to get just a few more parking spots accommodated on a tight deadline.
As the evening came to a close, those in the room were reminded that Senator Hansen is also among the seventeen candidates currently vying to become the next mayor of Denver. And while his past accomplishments, education (from Kansas State to MIT to Oxford), and current work in the state legislature have more than adequately prepared him for the job, it remains an uphill battle with so many candidates involved. Regardless of what happens with the mayoral race and where your personal vote gets cast, it’s hard to not root for someone like Senator Hansen with his firm grasp on complex subjects, ease within a room, and unchecked optimism for the future. However this election turns out, the architecture community will continue to have a robust political ally, whether that ally works from the east or west side of Civic Center Park.
— Drew Allen, AIA, is project architect at AECOM. He serves on the AIA Colorado Editorial Committee, Government Affairs Committee, and is a Denver Local Advisor.
When you are invited to drive up to Grand Lake on a late summer Friday, it’s hard to say no. In mid-August, I was fortunate enough to tag along on the AIA Colorado board retreat and water conservancy tour organized by Scott Munn, director of AIA Colorado West. Scott grew up spending his summers at a family cabin on the historic Grand Lake, and now calls the nearby community of Granby home, where he splits his time between his award-winning residential architectural practice and the many outdoor activities and attractions available for residents and visitors to Grand County.
Retreat attendees were President Wells Squier, President-Elect Sarah Broughton, Associate Director Kari Lawson, Denver Director Julianne Scherer, North Director Scott Rodwin and AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger. The purpose of the tour was to learn more about the critical importance of water management and conservancy in Colorado. Although 80% of the Colorado population resides on the eastern side of the continental divide, 80% of our state’s water is collected on the western side. The result of this imbalance is decades of impressive engineering projects that have worked to divert water to Front Range cities.
(left to right) Scott Rodwin, Mike Waldinger, and Sarah Broughton learn about Colorado’s waterways at The Headwaters Center
We began the day with a private tour of the Headwaters Center in Winter Park. Opened to the public in 2019, the Headwaters Center is a 21,000 sq ft multipurpose building with event space and an innovative museum that aims to educate visitors on the history, wildlife, and conservation efforts of the Colorado river network. Clad in stunning reclaimed barn wood on a stone plinth, the building’s rustic exterior anchors the building to the natural beauty of its site on the banks of the Fraser River. It is designed to be completely off the grid, running off solar energy (stored in over 300 car batteries!) and natural gas backup generators. The Headwaters Center can host public or private events in its outdoor amphitheater, private terrace overlooking the Rocky Mountains, or the 4,400 sq ft “Barn,” a spacious banquet hall that showcases the same reclaimed barn wood as the exterior of the building.
After a quick peek at the event spaces, we gathered in the lowest level of the Headwaters Center to begin our private tour of the “River Journey.” The interactive exhibit, designed by ECOS Communications in Boulder, introduces visitors to the history and ecology of Colorado waterways, with an emphasis on the local Fraser River, a tributary of the Colorado river. The exhibit emphasizes the importance of conservation and careful management of water in Colorado through captivating exhibits and video-based games that will engage any learner, young or old. My personal favorite was a trout survival video game, where visitors are tasked with helping a trout survive the dangerous trip upstream by navigating around various obstacles and dangers. (It was harder than it looked.) Throughout the tour, I was impressed with how the exhibit balanced moments of levity with moments of thoughtful reflection. The tour ended with a visit to the “Think Tank,” a meditative space in a full-scale water tank, centered around a pool of water that is continuously refilled by a slow drip of water from above. Scraps of droplet shaped paper cover the walls, filled with handwritten reflections and musings from visitors to the museum.
After the museum, our group drove to Grand Lake, the historic headwaters of the Colorado River and the largest and deepest natural lake in Colorado. As a result of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, Grand Lake is now a part of the West Slope Collection System, which provides the Front Range with most of its water. Under natural conditions, water from Grand Lake would flow west to the nearby Shadow Mountain Reservoir and then south to Lake Granby Reservoir. When water is needed on the Front Range, the Farr Pumping Plant, an impressive brutalist structure on the shores of Lake Granby that extends nearly 140 feet underground, reverses the flow so that water is pumped east out of Grand Lake through the Alva B. Adams tunnel, which runs underneath Rocky Mountain National Park.
The town of Grand Lake is primarily a summer community which retains a sense of nostalgic charm. The public access waterfront and marina were bustling with tourists and annual summer residents on the day we visited. During lunch, Scott educated us on the fascinating history of the Grand Lake Yacht Club, which claims to be the highest elevation yacht club in the world. It is also the custodian of a prestigious Lipton Cup, awarded annually during regatta week, that was donated by the flamboyant sportsman Sir Thomas Lipton in 1912 after the club’s founders took him out for drinks in Denver and greatly exaggerated the scale of their little yacht club. (They had a membership of four when they incorporated in 1902 and raced in rowboats with homemade sails.) By 1912 membership had increased enough to warrant the need for a clubhouse. The modest bark-clad structure was completed in 1913 and still stands today.
After lunch, it was finally time to get out on the water. With Scott as our captain and guide, our water conservancy tour culminated in a pontoon ride on Grand Lake. As we circled the beautiful alpine lake, Scott pointed out significant structures among the many beautiful homes that line the shores. The homes range from carefully preserved fisherman’s cabins from the early 20th century to mansions built by some of the most prominent families in the US. New structures on the lake are subject to strict zoning regulations to protect the integrity of the waterfront.
Many thanks to Scott for organizing this event. AIA Colorado board members were able to spend an afternoon learning about a critical Colorado resource and experience a part of the state that many had never had a chance to visit. If you are ever lucky enough to make it up to Grand County on a beautiful Friday afternoon (or any day of the week), make sure to take a moment to appreciate how this historic headwaters provide life and industry to so many across the site.
AIA Colorado was proud to recently support HB22-1362: Building Greenhouse Gas Emissions, an energy code modernization bill that will result in more use statewide of the 2021 and 2024 International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC) as the new baseline for energy performance for every new building in Colorado. Representative Tracey Bernett of Longmont introduced the bill and was a strong partner as one of the many stakeholder groups offering input.
The Colorado constitution largely prevents our legislature from implementing strict statewide building codes, but HB22-1362 makes some important changes to what kinds of energy code local building departments can enforce moving forward. What’s not changing is that no local jurisdiction will be forced to update its codes until ready to do so. But when they do, they will have to meet the following requirements depending on the year of their next update:
Before 2023, energy codes must be one of the three most recent versions of the IECC.
From 2023 to July 1, 2026, energy codes must be equal to or better than the 2021 IECC and include solar- and electric-ready language to be developed by a state energy code board.
After July 1, 2026, energy codes must be equal to or better than a future “model low energy and carbon code” developed by the state. This code will mostly likely be based on the 2024 IECC with its net-zero appendix. However, there are many restrictions in place that prevent the state from going further than the stricter of either the 2021 or 2024 IECC. Affordability and other factors may result in more flexible requirements.
Nothing stops a local jurisdiction from writing its own equivalent energy codes or adopting newer energy codes sooner. Even cities that are pushing the envelope on energy efficiency like Denver and Boulder have timelines putting net-zero code adoption in 2030/31.
AIA Colorado worked to ensure that an architect will be one of the 11 state energy code board members selected by the Colorado Energy Office. The Department of Local Affairs will select an additional 10 members. This will create a diverse board including both design and construction professionals and will include members with both commercial and residential experience.
Finally, the state will invest $25 million divided between grants to help install high-efficiency electric heating and appliance upgrades and to help train design/construction professionals, and building department officials/inspectors on how to implement the new energy codes.
AIA Colorado would like to thank members of both our Government Affairs Committee and Committee on the Environment for helping our staff and lobbyist effectively represent the profession at the Capitol as we worked to get HB22-1362 across the finish line. If you have any further questions, contact AIA Colorado Advocacy Engagement Director Nikolaus Remus.
Sustainability Advisor and Business Developer, Iconergy Co.
Maria Agazio
This year, the Committee on the Environment (COTE) has taken deep dives into best practices, the 2030 Commitment, and a sustainability survey designed for Colorado architects. With environmental stewardship as an AIA Colorado imperative—and to learn more about the COTE initiatives—we caught up with Maria Agazio, who co-chairs the committee with Beverly Pax. Read on as Agazio brings us up to speed on the latest concerning environmental stewardship in Colorado.
What drew you to this group?
I was drawn to COTE, because my career is centered on the idea of furthering sustainability in the built environment and the idea of being able to discuss these topics with a group of architects seemed like a great opportunity.
How has this committee grown or changed since you initially got involved?
We have made progress toward communicating environmental topics more affectively with AIA Colorado members and the general public. The sustainability survey has been a major part of the group discussion and published this year. (We encourage you to take it!)
What do you think is the biggest contribution that this committee brings to the Colorado architecture community?
Resources around “demystifying the 2030 Commitment,” as well as survey results that will help us understand architects’ perspectives on various sustainability topics and themes.
As AIA Colorado strives to create a culture of belonging, what steps have you taken to reach beyond Denver?
We consistently look to other chapters to gather resources and provide resources for movement toward sustainable progress. This can also be seen by our awareness of national events and articles that are presented at each meeting.
What are some immediate and long-term plans we can hope to see from the committee?
I remain committed to addressing methane emissions, working to establish a more comprehensive electric grid. We hope to release survey results around sustainability awareness in Colorado firms, and we also hope to release a 2030 Commitment roadmap that helps firms sign and understand the 2030 Commitment.
What one thing do you wish that more architects knew about environmental stewardship?
Every building has the opportunity to add positively to its environment. It is the responsibility of the architect and design team to incorporate sustainable practices and elements into every design regardless of the overarching focus of the building.
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