IKM Incorporated, the Pittsburgh-based architectural firm specializing in healthcare and education design, has accepted the Architecture 2030 Challenge sponsored by the American Institute of Architects to adapt their operations and design philosophy to reflect a higher level of environmental consciousness that is critical to our future.
“IKM understands the important role that we play as architects in issues surrounding design, construction and our product’s ongoing operational consumption of energy. It is important that we take a leadership position in being good stewards of the world entrusted to our care,” says John Schrott, AIA, president of IKM architects.
“We need to be forward thinking in all aspects of our business from our design solutions being as sustainable as possible to how our internal processes are organized to be environmentally responsible. We look forward to the continual evolution or our firm to be leader in sustainability.”
IKM architects kicks-off their 2030 Commitment with a ceremonial electronic signing of the agreement letter by the firm’s principal architects and sending it to the AIA on the 40th Annual Earth Day, April 22, 2010 from their downtown Pittsburgh offices.
This effort is sponsored by IKM’s Sustainability Cohort an in-house group that was established in 2008 and led by Melanie Como Harris, AIA, LEED AP, project manager for IKM.
Two years ago, IKM formed an in-house sustainability team that promotes green office practices as well as green design. The team has developed a series of objectives that included increasing our LEED expertise, working beyond LEED towards more comprehensive sustainability practices, incorporating sustainable design principles in every project, and greening the office’s business practices.
Schrott says, “It is the goal of IKM to become a sustainable organization.” In that regard, IKM created a sustainability mission statement: “To become a firm of sustainability experts who can talk the talk and do walk the walk.”
“We believe our sustainability objectives are well aligned with the 2030 Commitment’s goals and today is a momentous occasion for IKM,” states Ms. Como Harris. “We have been working towards sustainability goals similar to the AIA for some time now. It is exciting to be a partner with the AIA in this effort.”
The AIA 2030 Commitment was developed by the American Institute of Architects recognizing that the global architecture and building community has an opportunity and obligation to create environmentally responsible new and renovated buildings.
The goal of the 2030 Commitment is to slow the growth rate of greenhouse gas emissions by adopting targets for energy consumption performance. This includes more aggressive fossil fuel reduction standards over the next 25 years by implementing sustainable design strategies, generating on site-renewable power, and/or purchasing renewable energy or certified renewable energy credits. Additional information from the AIA can be found at the following sites: http://www.aia.org/about/initiatives/AIAB079544 andhttp://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html
Schrott concluded, “We are proud to support the AIA in their effort to reform our industry.”