Ralph DiNola

As co-Chair of the AIA's 2030 Commitment—targeting zero emissions buildings in the year 2030—I'm excited to announce the release of the newest edition of the 2030 By the Numbers (RY23) report! Highlighted are major improvements in reported embodied carbon data, increases in net zero projects and projects with renewable energy projects, and two firm case studies that show that firm culture is at the heart of improving practice and design outcomes. - 490 firms reported over 24,000 projects culminating in 3.9 billion GSF  - 154 reported just over 7,000 projects with embodied carbon data – almost tripling the past three years   - 430 predicted net zero projects were reported, a 24% increase from just last year  Report author Eana Bacchiocchi, co-Chair Jesse Walton and I are hosting an AIAU webinar that delve deeper into the data and put forth calls to actions to signatories – and the industry – to achieve a net zero future ... Join us! https://lnkd.in/g-xq-UYg

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One of the joys of covering energy policy, building codes and the like for Green Building Advisor is having the chance to shine a spotlight on mid-size cities that are doing their part (and then some) when it comes to advancing renewable energy, decarbonizing their built environment, and fighting the good fight to stifle the effects of an increasingly volatile climate. For my latest #PolicyWatch, I spoke with civic and business leaders working in Rochester, Minnesota, where Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) are the future. Not to be confused with district energy systems, which are centralized and often powered by fossil fuels, TENs comprise ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via heat pumps. Waste heat can also be recovered from buildings through the city’s sewer system. At present, a pilot TEN - using an innovative groundwater-based geothermal system developed by Darcy Solutions - is connected to Rochester's City Hall, and efforts are underway to expand the networks to feed into four public buildings and up to six multifamily residential buildings. “When we get more people on the network, everyone’s rates go down. Thermal Energy Networks are capital-intensive at the beginning, but once that capital is taken care of for the infrastructure, it’s very inexpensive for the utilities.” - Scot Ramsey, Rochester's facilities and property manager https://lnkd.in/eFucq9EA Robert J. Ed, Scot Ramsey, Darcy Solutions, Mayo Clinic, Destination Medical Center (DMC), City of Rochester, MN, #geothermal #thermalenergy #thermalenergynetworks #renewableenergy #lowcarboneconomy #lowcarbonfuture #climatechange #groundwater

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On this day when the Pacific Northwest is facing a record-setting late summer #heatwave, I want to highlight the importance of designing buildings, especially housing for vulnerable populations, with thermal #resilience. That is, designing the #buildingenclosure using #passivehouse principles to reduce cooling loads, and including operable windows to allow for night flushing with cooler air. This reduces energy bills and carbon emissions from air conditioning under normal conditions and allows occupants to maintain safe indoor temperatures if a power outage occurs (not uncommon during heat waves). Corey Squire, AIA and Thuy Le of Bora Architecture & Interiors produced an important study to demonstrate the lifesaving potential of design for thermal resilience. check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gHZcAf4g

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Laura, Yes, "It is an exciting, though messy, time in the embodied carbon landscape."—the report’s opening sentence—which is very apt. Performance is everything, achieving results ‘messy’. Whole building life cycle assessment is an admirable goal, but we are running out of time and lack reliable tools. Our pressing need is to tackle 'upfront" Embodied emissions. For a straight forward assessment of what the AEC industry is up against—and what to do—my keynote at AIA LA's 1.5°C Symposium is worth watching for some realistic insights. It's on YouTube at: https://lnkd.in/dNct6aTU . Bill Caplan #EmbodiedCarbon #sustainability

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Why are we are not making sufficient progress in achieving climate change targets and the Sustainable Development Goals? Reasons for this include a lack of coherent, integrated approaches across scales, sectors and systems. There is also insufficient focus on social and economic transformation in addition to technological innovation and change. My keynote presentation for the ASOCSA 2024 conference tackled this area and explored how more cohesive, integrated and transformative approaches could be developed... https://lnkd.in/dxRecq6v

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Season 17 of AIA California's arcCA DIGEST takes up the first of four topics drawn from the AIA California Strategic Plan: Adaptive Reuse, Building Decarbonization, Housing, and The Future of the Profession. Interestingly (but perhaps not surprisingly), articles in this season’s lineup also address building decarbonization and housing, as adaptive reuse is a potent strategy for both. Timely reading given the new embodied carbon provisions in CalGreen effective TODAY! #arcCAdigest #adaptivereuse #decarbonization #embodiedcarbon #housing

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Graham and I are speaking about adaptive reuse at the OAA conference today, comparing conversion of various building types into housing vs. new construction. Spoiler alaert: it is not more expensive, it’s more sustainable in terms of embodied carbon, and has better community buy in for affordable housing projects. https://lnkd.in/gKaCD6rx

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We all know that labs are tricky when it comes to operational carbon due to high energy demands. What is lesser understood is how structural considerations can help reduce the embodied carbon associated with material selection. I'm excited to hear what Isabel Mandujano RA LEED-AP and Harshda Prasad, SE, LEED AP have to say about #decarbonization strategies for labs.

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Learn more about the changes coming (for the better!) with LEED v5 from my partner Sarah Gudeman .

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🌟 Architects as #SocialEquity champions One requirement of a #SEAMCertification is human-centered #InclusiveDesign. We're finding that this SEAM Activity isn't a heavy lift for the design community, which has been leading this movement for decades. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Blueprint for Better campaign aims to transform the day-to-day practice of #architecture to achieve a zero-carbon, resilient, healthy, just, and #EquitableBuiltEnvironment. Check out their article for 6 actionable ways to increase equity in the built environment. #ArchitectsForEquity #SEAM

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I write letters to colleagues, friends, and past clients about my work. Here is a write-up on sustainability that I wanted to share with the LI community: --- Sustainability is the foundation of my practice having spent most of my career working on some of the biggest, public projects in Southern California. This is a market where progressive public opinion governs alongside some of the most energy-stringent building code in the world. Today, I strive to apply these best practices learned to all my projects; regardless of location, budget, and client. And now thanks to current International Building Code, it is practically a prerequisite that architects and owners deliver energy-efficient buildings. This is a victory that should be celebrated and continued. Now, let's get a bit more real. The truth is that a large part of the construction industry continues to operate focused on the excessive exploitation of raw, virgin land. For many decades, we have replaced our natural ecosystem with a thoughtless expansion of non-descript buildings, industrial processing, and vehicle infrastructure placed solely in the interest of money and utility. I believe this phenomena to be a driving force in waste, pollution, and inefficiency — the antithesis of sustainability. Given the context that I have just described, I find myself recalibrating my focus as it relates to sustainable building design to consider the value of more intangible criteria. I realize we are in the midst of an environmental crisis not because of the building process itself, but because of the way in which we choose to build: what, where and why. Unlike current progressive industry trends in regards to sustainability, I am not fearful using carbon-intensive materials such as concrete or plastics. Instead, priority should be given to design buildings of lasting value — the idea is that those who inhabit it, will care enough to preserve and protect what was spent to develop it. In part, I’m advocating for a sustainable philosophy in life. This seems less idealistic than believing that the carbon footprint of the buildings we create will move the needle. --- What do you think about using carbon-intensive materials in design and construction? Plastic is actually an amazing material. The Denver Airport roof canopy is outfitted in plastic (ETFE), it is adorned by millions, and I suspect that that building will be protected and used for centuries to come. #sustanability #nocheapbuildings #lifecycle #design #architecture #construction

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What is design computing and how can it help the design industry? Our discipline lead for design computing describes how digital tools can make the design process faster and more effective in the latest episode of the Stantec.io podcast!

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Wonder when we'll see a new form of structural partnerships between philanthropy (& structural risk holders) and mission-based organizations and collaboratives, moving beyond discrete grants or defined portfolios of intervention. Instead, these partnerships would work through open-ended funding facilities, focusing systemically on action and delivery against their shared mission. These forms of structural partnerships and quasi-mergers are almost certainly necessary now to move resources at the required speed, scale, and nuance. By fusing both knowledge/discovery & actionablity with more flexible allocation frameworks, these partnerships can respond at the pace of change necessary.

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Many thanks to Andrew Sansom, Marc Sansom, and SALUS Global Knowledge Exchange for amplifying the great recent work of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) resolving to proactively adopt a research- and ethics-based clarification of human health and wellness in its practice pathways, awards, and advocacy agenda. This is a global issue, as compelling research proves that architecture either improves or hinders human health and wellbeing, and those design choices echo for generations. https://lnkd.in/emRjQneh

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How are you addressing equity in your work as designers? How about COOs and developers, what's your approach?

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ICYMI, the USGBC has released the following summary documents that compare the new version of LEED (v5) with the previous LEED v4/4.1 versions. Since v5 is still in the development/review phase, these comparisons are based on the April 2024 first public comment draft and though some changes could be expected in the future, this summarizes the overall direction of the new version. #greenbuilding #usgbc #usgbctx #leed #leedv5 https://lnkd.in/gSzsGgAZ https://lnkd.in/gn8TQ7rR https://lnkd.in/g3ymE7U8

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This is important work by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and encourage our community to engage. Over the past year, ACHP adopted two important policy statements on housing and climate change. They are now proposing 4 government-wide program comments to implement those statements to advance historic preservation while also supporting a sound climate response and housing creation. Please consider attending any of 4 public meetings listed below (or if applicable Tribal/NHO meetings) or writing to [email protected] by July 1. Comments would particularly be welcomed on: * Categories of undertakings that might be exempted from further review. * Categories of undertakings that might require only minimal review (e.g., an attestation or documentation). * Categories of undertakings that might require some review in accordance with specific direction. * Suggestions of any siting, material, or installation circumstances that would enable (or should not enable) a streamlined review (exemption, minimal review, or directed review). * Suggestions for other exclusions or safeguards. #buildingreuseisclimateaction https://lnkd.in/gS_nBvcG

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Last week at the 2024 American Institute of Architects Convention in Washington DC, the White House released a clear federal definition of zero energy buildings. Though it sets minimum guidelines and does not carry legal weight, it will be an important playbook defining efficiency excellence for building energy performance in the United States!    Having a unified federal net zero definition that defines an ultimate target and includes minimum efficiency requirements for both new and existing buildings will help to align jurisdictional policies, moving them towards the same targets over time. This is validation the urgency and the extraordinary need for all architects to utilize their professional skills to be key facilitators to support energy efficient buildings in their community, city and state. #whitehouseclimateadvisor #zeroemissions #DOE #EPA #AIANationalconvention2024 #AIACOTE #sustainablebuildings #mtoddarchitect #betterbuildingsbetterchange #energyefficient #internationallivingfutureinstitute #ZEB #livingbuildingchallenge

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