As designers and architects, it is essential that we consider the significance of the decisions we make in our work. Through AIA Dallas’ Retrospect event, we were given the opportunity to make a social and environmental impact. Our idea for RTKL’s 2014 Retrospect exhibit is to show the connection between architecture and people by raising […]
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Ever wondered how our energy sources rank from dirtiest to cleanest? Based on CO2 emissions, the list is as follows: crude oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar and wind. Wind is considered cleaner than solar because of the carbon it takes to produce a solar panel and the limited hours of sun availability. Though the […]
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From “Material Justice”: As I wrote eight years ago (“The Ethics of Brick,” Metropolis, June, 2005), sustainability is defined as the intersection of social, economic, and environmental value — the “triple bottom line” — but often the social dimension gets lost: “Green standards tend to focus more on end users than on producers of buildings, […]
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On June 18, at the offices of the Architect of the Capitol, I led a discussion, “Sustainable DC: Buildings and Beyond.” Organized by the Washington chapter of the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment, the event brought together policymakers, analysts, and architects to discuss the recently revealed Sustainable DC Plan, which aims to […]
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Lance Hosey, our Chief Sustainability Officer, has an article in GreenBiz.com called “Why architects must lead on sustainable design.” I encourage everyone to read it. And take it to heart. It accurately reflects RTKL’s evolving view on sustainability, and it confirms in my mind why we think our performance-driven design initiative is the right strategy. […]
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