Reflecting on Sustainability in Architecture on Earth Day 2022

Earth Day is a day we are called upon to focus on environmental sustainability. Sustainability, in the architecture and building industry, is becoming more significant as the urban built environment is responsible for 75% of annual global GHG emissions: and buildings alone account for 39%.

When the first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, air pollution was a major problem in most US cities. Now, a half century and a geologic age worth of carbon later, global carbon emissions are up about 90%, and we are facing a new crisis. On this earth day, people and companies are taking time to reflect on the beauty of our planet, and recognizing the importance of taking care of it for future generations.

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Toward Carbon Positive Architecture

Educational Program to be Held at WPI on April 6 at 5pm

Carbon positive and net zero energy buildings are a cornerstone of reversing runaway greenhouse gas emissions.

Join the Central Massachusetts AIA for an educational session that will look at lessons learned from more than a decade in net-zero construction and its evolution from mission-driven clients to potential mass market adoption.

Blake Jackson (pictured, right), AIA/LEED Fellow, US Northeast Sustainability Leader from Stantec Boston will present two case studies of recent projects, as part of his presentation:

1) the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO (a LEED Platinum, 2011 AIA COTE Top 10 Award winning project), and

2) Evolv1, a developer core/shell office building in Waterloo, Ontario (LEED Platinum and Canada’s 1st verified Carbon Positive Building – 2018).

Letter from AIA Central Massachusetts President, Jack Moran

Dear AIA Central Massachusetts Member,

Happy New Year! We begin 2022 with cautious optimism that it will bring back a sense of normalcy – even if that means a new normal. 

Despite all the challenges that 2021 threw at us, we had a very successful year. We organized 8 programs, providing our members with the opportunity to earn 13.5 continuing education learning units, including:  

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