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Jacqueline Johnson, 202/586-5806
September 13, 1996
DOE Helps Provide Blueprint for Nation's
Buildings in the 21st Century
The Department of Energy, working with the
American Institute of Architects (AIA), signed a partnership agreement that could change the way new buildings are designed. The Memorandum of Understanding signed today will encourage the use of energy efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies in the design of new buildings and for retrofitting existing buildings.
The agreement is designed to help educate
architects and the public about the benefits of energy efficient building designs that incorporate sustainable and renewable technologies. Christine
Ervin, DOE's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy said, "In keeping with the Clinton administration's commitment to create a cleaner and healthier environment, this partnership between government and industry formalizes our long-standing history of working collaboratively to design the blueprint for buildings that will be both the model and the marvel of the new millennium."
DOE and AIA's goal is to provide architects with
information about advances in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. A key area includes expanding the diversity of energy sources, particularly the increased use of renewable energy such as building integrated solar energy.
"Creating healthy environments is an important
goal. We see this agreement as a valuable resource for architects," said Donald Watson, Fellow, American Institute of Architects, Chairman of the AIA's Committee on the Environment.
The partnership includes three significant
elements:
- provide professional education and training for
architects, engineers, and building owners to integrate energy efficiency and solar energy in the design process. DOE and AIA jointly sponsored a series of Energy in Architecture workshops from 1979 to 1985, reaching 10,000 practitioners. Discussions are underway to begin a new series of workshops;
- conduct symposia to address a wide range of energy
and environmental topics. During the past five years, AIA, with DOE support, conducted four symposia and the electronic environmental design charrette program. The symposia reached more than 1,500 practitioners, and addressed both national and international audiences. The charrette
program involved communities with populations of more than eight million people nationwide; and,
- DOE and AIA will continue their 20-year history of
addressing energy efficiency and renewable energy issues through joint research and development.
The American Institute of Architects has
represented the professional interests of America's architects since 1857. The institute works to advance the value of architects and architecture and their role in shaping the public's quality of life. As members, 58,000 licensed architects and associated professionals express their commitment to the highest standards in design in buildings and cities nationwide.
- DOE -
R-96-136
