Introduction-modèle - Espace Ressources

Introduction—Framework for Design Excellence

Explore the four outcomes of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, how to use and apply the framework to your work, and complementary resources to advance progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy future.

Introduction

Architects play a critical role in designing buildings and communities that use resources wisely, preserve essential ecosystems, promote equity and access, and adapt to changing conditions. The warming climate has caused widespread damage to people, ecosystems, and the built environment. We recognize that the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is the result of natural and human systems pushed beyond their ability to adapt. These climate trends are only a few of the risks facing civilization, along with unsustainable consumption of resources, land and ecosystem degradation, rapid urbanization, and social and economic inequalities.

Architecture contributes nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions—a percentage that has not changed significantly since the middle of the 20th.

The profession finds creative solutions that ensure design excellence and climate action as we make progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy future. Every project is a new opportunity to make incremental improvements, test new strategies, and apply lessons from past projects.

The four outcomes

The architect’s call to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public extends to the challenges of mitigating increasing climate extremes and social inequity. Architects everywhere must recognize that our profession—and every project—can harness the power of design to contribute to positive, creative solutions that address the most significant needs of our time. AIA adopted the four outcomes in 2019 as part of the Climate Action Plan. They include:

Making all new buildings and renovations carbon-neutral will slow the catastrophic effects of climate  change caused by the building sector and protect people, ecosystems, and value. Both operational and embodied carbon must be considered when assessing the whole building’s carbon impact.

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Using the framework

The Framework for Design Excellence is comprised of 10 principles representing the defining principles of good design in the 21st century. The framework seeks to inform progress through consideration by the designer and client at the initiation of every project, and it can be incorporated into the work depending on the project scope. The framework is intended to be accessible and relevant for every architect, every client, and every project, regardless of size, typology, or aspiration.

The framework is a pathway to learning more about the 10 principles.

identify the key themes within each principle that form a complete view of the principle’s intent.

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At the earliest stages of the project, it is extremely valuable to explore the full range of topics at a conceptual level. The architect should be prepared to lead the discussions with the client and all team members, and all team members should participate in the discussion. What topics are explicit priorities? Which have significant impacts, even if they aren’t explicitly requested by the client?
Consultants and other collaborators can also play a key role in developing strong early performance concepts that inform the design. During the phases of the project work, these early concepts can be tested and developed through analysis and design integration.

Strategies that incorporate multiple principles can bring synergies that increase the benefits and may be cost-effective. For example, well-integrated daylighting can benefit both well-being and energy use. On the other hand, some strategies bring tradeoffs between principles. For example, improved air quality benefits well-being but often requires more energy. Integrated design calls for teams to be well-informed and transparent about both the benefits and tradeoffs within the principles.

The cycle of design, assessment, and feedback does not end when construction is completed. Post-occupancy evaluation, as described in the discovery principle, provides feedback to improve the performance of the recently completed project, and offers lessons and strategies to inform future projects. Ideally these will be shared with the broader design community and result in an expanding circle of improved performance.

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The framework and this toolkit have interwoven the quantitative and qualitative metrics that allow architects and their teams to create building and site solutions that realize best-in-class resources, supporting design, construction, and operational project goals. Using these resources, you will find synergies between each of the 10 principles, which will enhance knowledge, project opportunities, and ties to equity, health, resilience, and zero carbon.

Framework progress & resources

The framework represents the defining principles of good design—but it is only the beginning. AIA has additional resources that complement the framework and can help architects learn more about these topics, earn credentials, track metrics, and gain recognition for design excellence and building performance.

The Climate Action Business Playbook offers best practices for firms to integrate climate action into their practice.

The Framework for Design Excellence

Learn how the framework inspires and provides a toolkit for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive design.

Learn more

Next chapter

Explore the next chapter of the Framework for Design Excellence—Design for Integration.

Design for integration