Timothy Devlin’s Post

The Institute and Australia had a fabulous advocacy win last week with the ACT Government’s Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, Rebecca Vassarotti, announcing that she had secured an agreement of Australian building ministers to establish a nationally consistent approach to measuring carbon emissions in the commercial construction sector. Minister Vassarotti thanked the Australian Institute of Architects for bringing this issue to her attention and championing Australia’s pathway to net zero carbon in our buildings. The 2025 National Construction Code will now feature a nationally consistent way of measuring carbon in construction using the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS). “Across Australia, new buildings represent 10% of overall carbon emissions. Most of these emissions come from the materials, transport and construction associated with new buildings. Currently, there is no national standard for measuring what we call ‘embodied carbon', that is, the emissions that come from building materials, transport, construction, repairs, and renovations.” A consistent approach to measurement provides the vehicle for creating tools to optimise our effectiveness and should allow us to be comparative and demonstrate effective, efficient and affordable progressively lower carbon outcomes. Importantly this work will inform a growing evidence base to communicate the value of Architecture and Architects. Thank you to all of those who have contributed to this critical piece of advocacy across the Institute. Special thank you to the Australian Institute of Architects' National Climate Action and Sustainability Committee (NCASC) for your thought leadership and collaboration with industry partners. Learn more: https://aus.archi/p67q Pictured: Sandy Point House | Traditional Owners: The Boon Wurrung People | Architect: Kennedy Nolan | Builder: Gene Laity Builders | Photographer: Derek Swalwell #ArchitectureDesign #Architecture #Architect #AustralianArchitecture #Design #ContemporaryArchitecture #Architects #AustralianArchitects #NationalConstructionCode #NCC #ABCB #EmbodiedCarbon #ClimateAction #ZeroCarbon #NABERS

According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the number of all-electric building projects increased by 130% in 2020. This significant rise reflects a growing trend towards sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices. By utilizing all-electric systems, buildings can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and decrease their carbon footprint. The AIA's findings demonstrate a positive shift towards more sustainable construction practices within the industry. This increase in all-electric building projects showcases a commitment to reducing energy consumption and promoting environmental stewardship. #AIA #sustainability #all-electric #building #environmentallyfriendly https://lnkd.in/gDr9AbdY

According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the number of all-electric building projects increased by 130% in 2020. This significant rise reflects a growing trend towards sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices. By utilizing all-electric systems, buildings can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and decrease their carbon footprint. The AIA's findings demonstrate a positive shift towards more sustainable construction practices within the industry. This increase in all-electric building projects showcases a commitment to reducing energy consumption and promoting environmental stewardship. #AIA #sustainability #all-electric #building #environmentallyfriendly https://lnkd.in/gkGSgSgH

We're thrilled to announce that Anthony Cataldo, AIA, LEED AP is featured in Bisnow! After speaking at Bisnow’s SOCAL Industrial Conference, Anthony was invited to share his insights on California’s new building code aimed at reducing embodied carbon. This amendment, effective July 1, marks a significant step towards net-zero goals. As Anthony says, "My guess is California did this because they want to get us starting to look at carbon and being accountable, ultimately, for the embodied carbon that our buildings are producing," Lowney Architecture Chief Operating Officer Anthony Cataldo said. "When the building code is updated a year and a half down the road, they’ll start to turn up the heat." Read more about this pivotal change and its impact on construction and development in the full article on Bisnow. #LowneyArchitecture #SustainableBuilding #EmbodiedCarbon #GreenConstruction #NetZero #BISNOW #IndustrialDesign #CaliforniaBuildingCode

I had the opportunity to discuss California’s new building code targeting embodied carbon at Bisnow’s SOCAL Industrial Conference. This new amendment, effective July 1, is a major step towards our net-zero goals. Check out the full article on BISNOW to learn more about this pivotal change. #LowneyArchitecture #SustainableBuilding #EmbodiedCarbon #GreenConstruction #NetZero #BISNOW #IndustrialDesign #CaliforniaBuildingCode

California is setting the standard for green building ✔️👏 Effective July 1, CALGreen, California's pioneering green building code, mandates stringent embodied carbon reduction targets for new construction projects. The new regulation will necessitate significant changes in how buildings are designed and constructed. While this presents challenges, such as the need for new assessment solutions, it also opens opportunities for innovation in sustainable materials and construction methods. So, we must ask… ▪️ How will the implementation of CALGreen's compliance process aid in reducing embodied carbon for both residential and commercial projects? ▪️ How will architects, builders, and developers manage, especially with the new necessity of conducting life cycle assessments (LCA)? ▪️ How will this impact the industry as a whole? Read this piece from cove.tool's decarbonization expert, Farnaz Jahandideh, Ph.D., to understand this embodied carbon reduction regulation ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02GRnbP0 ➕ See how cove.tool's AI-powered consulting services can assist in complying with CALGreen. ⬆️ #California #CALGreen #compliance #code #buildingcode #energycode #construction #AEC #architects #architecture #sustainablearchitecture #sustainabledesign #greenbuilding #sustainability #sustainabilityconsulting #AI #embodiedcarbon #AIinArchitecture #carbon #sustainablematerials #LCA #lifecycleassessments #decarbonization #carbonreduction

The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is transforming the landscape of sustainable architecture. By providing a comprehensive framework to evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability of buildings, BREEAM is guiding architects, planners, and developers toward creating structures that are not only efficient but also environmentally sound. One particularly interesting aspect of BREEAM is its focus on the entire lifecycle of a building, from design and construction to operation and eventual demolition. This holistic approach ensures that sustainability is considered at every stage, reducing the overall environmental footprint. Understanding BREEAM’s assessment criteria is essential for anyone involved in the 21st-century construction industry. These criteria cover a broad range of aspects including energy efficiency, water use, health and well-being, materials, waste, and pollution. By adhering to these rigorous standards, buildings don’t just meet benchmarks; they become part of a global solution to environmental challenges. For those interested in the practical application of BREEAM, the article delves into the specifics of each category, offering insights into how to achieve high sustainability performance. Whether you’re an architect, developer, or a sustainability enthusiast, understanding these criteria is key to contributing to buildings that are future-proof. How are you incorporating sustainability into your projects? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #SustainableBuilding #BREEAMAssessment https://lnkd.in/eyr7AwSK

How can we actively Gear Legislation and Policies to Pave the Way for Sustainable Architecture?   In our recent exploration, we have asked 6 capacities from within and around the building sector how we can put legislation and policies at play in steering the construction industry towards sustainability. Traditionally, regulations focused on individual safety, but amid the climate crisis, there's a pressing need to extend this protection to our planet.   "Sustainable development for future generations should be the very fundament of any law. If we find that the national law in its core does not support sustainable development, it would mean that we would have to rewrite the legal code. Our task today is to methodologically and philosophically reconstruct a logic or an ideology for why we build and if we have to build and with what methods, based on a fundamen­tal understanding of sustainability and sustainable practices." – Kai Reaver, Head of Architecture & Chief Advisor NAL   This article is part of the Nordic Sustainable Construction program, an initiative by the The Nordic Council of Ministers and The Nordic Council and Nordic Innovation. Our goal? To lead the Nordic region towards sustainable and competitive construction while minimizing environmental impacts. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dXTZXuVq The article is written by Malin Zimm, with reseach by Pernille Martiny Modvig Kai Reaver, Matti Kuittinen, Harpa Birgisdóttir, Dani Hill-Hansen🌱, nel jan schipull, Ruth Schagemann, Angelica Åkerman, Dorte Bo Bojesen, Helle Redder Momsen Anders Vestergaard Jensen SUSTAINORDIC   #SustainableArchitecture #GreenTransition #NordicInnovation #SustainabilityLeadership #Reduction Roadmap

The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is transforming the landscape of sustainable architecture. By providing a comprehensive framework to evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability of buildings, BREEAM is guiding architects, planners, and developers toward creating structures that are not only efficient but also environmentally sound. One particularly interesting aspect of BREEAM is its focus on the entire lifecycle of a building, from design and construction to operation and eventual demolition. This holistic approach ensures that sustainability is considered at every stage, reducing the overall environmental footprint. Understanding BREEAM’s assessment criteria is essential for anyone involved in the 21st-century construction industry. These criteria cover a broad range of aspects including energy efficiency, water use, health and well-being, materials, waste, and pollution. By adhering to these rigorous standards, buildings don’t just meet benchmarks; they become part of a global solution to environmental challenges. For those interested in the practical application of BREEAM, the article delves into the specifics of each category, offering insights into how to achieve high sustainability performance. Whether you’re an architect, developer, or a sustainability enthusiast, understanding these criteria is key to contributing to buildings that are future-proof. How are you incorporating sustainability into your projects? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #SustainableBuilding #BREEAMAssessment https://lnkd.in/dZ3Khs2T