AIA headquarters is a tool for advocacy

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[["images-card",{"images":[{"url":"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dpcbzfiye\/image\/upload\/v1698152822\/a7uv0m59lhhgmu3ewyr3.jpg","id":"6682394"}],"caption":"HABIT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEERS PREPARE TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS PURCHASED WITH A DONATION FROM AIA. "}],["images-card",{"images":[{"url":"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dpcbzfiye\/image\/upload\/v1698154221\/qbfjzqhrjz84y9tcam6a.jpg","id":"6682410"}],"caption":"INTERNS WALK THROUGH THE AIA HEADQUARTERS RENEWAL PROJECT IN WASHINGTON, DC. "}],["images-card",{"images":[{"url":"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dpcbzfiye\/image\/upload\/v1698153229\/wuidog8p6bz1hn7xk60h.jpg","id":"6682397"}],"caption":"STEPHEN AYERS, FAIA, DISCUSSES THE AIA HEADHEARTERS RENEWAL AT THE 2023 GREENBUILD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO IN WASHINGTON, DC. "}]],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/articles\/6589298-a-building-for-all-times--?tab=library\u0026tools=true","target","_blank"]],["strong"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/articles\/6657601-aia-headquarters-renewal-interns-visit-was?tab=library\u0026tools=true","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"As the celebrated renewal of AIA\u2019s landmark Washington, D.C., headquarters continues, the renovation will serve as an opportunity for families to experience more affordable living, a teaching experience for students, and a call to action for climate change."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Renderings have been "],[0,[0],1,"revealed"],[0,[],0,", and demolition is underway. While AIA\u2019s 1970\u2019s home base transforms to become a world incubation hub for design innovation and excellence, it\u2019s proving \u2013 even while still in reconstruction phase \u2013 how the power of design can extend beyond a building\u2019s framework. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Helping families save money"]]],[10,0],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In Broadway, Viriginia, volunteers spent a Saturday morning clamping solar panels down on the roofs of new construction homes. The long-term investment of choosing solar panels is often afforded only to those who can absorb the upfront costs of energy efficient materials, but the AIA headquarters renewal is providing a cost-savings opportunity for families in Virginia and Washington, D.C. In early 2023, to offset some of the embodied carbon emissions resulting from the renewal, AIA donated $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity Virginia to install solar energy systems in up to 80 homes. \u201cWe are extremely grateful to AIA,\u201d said Jeff Heie, director, Solar Give, a nonprofit action group that partners with Habitat for Humanity to help homeowners with low incomes gain access to solar energy. The two-year project launched in March, and Heie says the panels will help save Habit homeowners up to $50 on their monthly electric bill while improving the environment."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"Helping the next generation gain knowledge"]]],[10,1],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"While the renewal helps some families save money, it also serves as a way for rising architects to learn more about the profession. The second cohort of students from Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) completed an "],[0,[2],1,"internship with AIA"],[0,[],0," this year focused on the building renovation. The program recruits top HBCU students to incorporate and engage aspiring architects and connects them with industry leaders. Centering the program on students from HBCUs aligns with AIAs commitment to supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion; to ensure a more diverse and equitable profession, it is critical to ensure diversity in the pipeline of architecture students and to make sure all students have opportunities to thrive \u201cIt is invaluable,\u201d said Tuskegee University student Satchel Sandifer about his experience. \u201cThe network \u2013 I can\u2019t emphasis enough the amount of people I have met who have been so kind and helpful and just willing to give their wisdom.\u201d In addition to their work on the renewal project, interns complete rigorous knowledge building in construction management, contracts, procurement, communication, and trade partnerships. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Working to change policy. "],[0,[],0," "]]],[1,"p",[]],[10,2],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"When attendees at the 2023 Greenbuild International Conference + Expo conference gathered this fall in Washington, DC, the AIA building renewal was among the case studies presented. The project is one of the first fully decarbonized major building renovations in the US, demonstrating a cost-effective and replicable approach to climate action in existing buildings. The renovations will exceed AIA 2030 Commitment standards for fossil-fuel use reduction by fully electrifying the building, reducing energy use by 58 percent, and serving the building through a 100 percent renewable energy mix. Embodied carbon from materials and construction is cut in half, as compared to a typical new building through building reuse and a rigorous material vetting process. AIA EVP\/CEO Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE, spoke at the conference, and Stephen Ayers, FAIA, project executive, served on a panel alongside partners from EHDD, Turner Construction, and Point Energy Innovations, sharing how the project will zero out all embodied carbon emissions. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u0022The process we used to achieve decarbonization is unique and we are excited to share our work publicly so others can learn and hopefully replicate our results,\u201d said Ayers. \u201cOffsetting our remaining carbon in a socially responsible manner was key to our success.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"\u201cA call to action\u201d"],[0,[],0," "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"How the building is a tool to advocate for a climate positive future, wellness, and human connectivity and belonging was shared at the 2023 AIA Conference on Architecture in a workshop led by EHDD, the West-coast design firm leading the project. Attendees of AIA\u2019s 2024 conference, scheduled for June in Washington, D.C, will be among the first people to tour the building. Woods, who says the building is \u201cmore than a place\u2014it\u2019s a call to action\u201d is thrilled to welcome guests to AIA headquarters and celebrate the power of design. \u201cVisualize the coming together of inspired minds\u2014AIA members, business and civic leaders, students, and visionaries\u2014uniting their aspirations to create a better world for all,\u201d said Woods. \u201cIn this transformed campus, architects and designers are pioneers of innovation, pushing beyond traditional professional roles to actively shape our future.\u201d "]]]]}