The AIA Committee on the Environment’s
MEASURES OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
COTE definition of sustainability and sustainable design:
Sustainability envisions the enduring prosperity of all living things.
Sustainable design seeks to create communities, buildings, and products that contribute to this vision.
Measure 1: Design & Innovation
Sustainable design is an inherent aspect of design excellence. Projects should express sustainable design concepts and intentions, and take advantage of innovative programming opportunities.
Measure 2: Regional/Community Design
Sustainable design values the unique cultural and natural character of a given region.
Measure 3: Land Use & Site Ecology
Sustainable design protects and benefits ecosystems, watersheds, and wildlife habitat in the presence of human development.
Measure 4: Bioclimatic Design
Sustainable design conserves resources and maximizes comfort through design adaptations to sitespecific and regional climate conditions.
Measure 5: Light & Air
Sustainable design creates comfortable interior environments that provide daylight, views, and fresh air.
Measure 6: Water Cycle
Sustainable design conserves water and protects and improves water quality.
Measure 7: Energy Flows & Energy Future
Sustainable design conserves energy and resources and reduces the carbon footprint while improving building performance and comfort. Sustainable design anticipates future energy sources and needs.
Measure 8: Materials & Construction
Sustainable design includes the informed selection of materials and products to reduce product‐cycle environmental impacts, improve performance, and optimize occupant health and comfort.
Measure 9: Long Life, Loose Fit
Sustainable design seeks to enhance and increase ecological, social, and economic values over time.
Measure 10: Collective Wisdom and Feedback Loops
Sustainable design strategies and best practices evolve over time through documented performance and shared knowledge of lessons learned.
MEASURES OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
COTE definition of sustainability and sustainable design:
Sustainability envisions the enduring prosperity of all living things.
Sustainable design seeks to create communities, buildings, and products that contribute to this vision.
Measure 1: Design & Innovation
Sustainable design is an inherent aspect of design excellence. Projects should express sustainable design concepts and intentions, and take advantage of innovative programming opportunities.
Measure 2: Regional/Community Design
Sustainable design values the unique cultural and natural character of a given region.
Measure 3: Land Use & Site Ecology
Sustainable design protects and benefits ecosystems, watersheds, and wildlife habitat in the presence of human development.
Measure 4: Bioclimatic Design
Sustainable design conserves resources and maximizes comfort through design adaptations to sitespecific and regional climate conditions.
Measure 5: Light & Air
Sustainable design creates comfortable interior environments that provide daylight, views, and fresh air.
Measure 6: Water Cycle
Sustainable design conserves water and protects and improves water quality.
Measure 7: Energy Flows & Energy Future
Sustainable design conserves energy and resources and reduces the carbon footprint while improving building performance and comfort. Sustainable design anticipates future energy sources and needs.
Measure 8: Materials & Construction
Sustainable design includes the informed selection of materials and products to reduce product‐cycle environmental impacts, improve performance, and optimize occupant health and comfort.
Measure 9: Long Life, Loose Fit
Sustainable design seeks to enhance and increase ecological, social, and economic values over time.
Measure 10: Collective Wisdom and Feedback Loops
Sustainable design strategies and best practices evolve over time through documented performance and shared knowledge of lessons learned.