In 2010, RB+B Architects adopted the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Commitment. The AIA 2030 Commitment is a national initiative providing a framework with both metrics and strategies for evaluating and reporting project energy usage. The same year the commitment was adopted, RB+B was one of only 56 firms nationwide to take part in data reporting for their buildings. Data reporting helps architectural firms (and their clients) understand how decisions throughout the design process affect building energy performance over time.

Because buildings are the largest single contributor to greenhouse gas production (nearly the equivalent of both transportation and industry combined*), architectural firms’ primary impact on improving the environment is best achieved through energy efficient building design. More and more architectural firms are recognizing the benefit of utilizing tools such as the AIA 2030 Commitment. Just this year the program saw a 33% increase in the number of firms reporting data over the previous year.

This is an exciting step towards carbon neutrality within the architecture industry. In 2015, RB+B will continue to support programs such as the 2030 Commitment as we strive to enhance our culture of sustainability and the design of high performance buildings.

*Source 2013 2030, Inc./Architecture 2030.