Sustainability Milestones: An Industry Overview

Welcome back to Architecture 5 10 20! I’m your host, Guy Geier, Managing Partner of FXCollaborative Architects in New York. My guests for this podcast are pioneers and visionaries shaping the future of the built environment across various disciplines. Join me in exploring their remarkable journeys, discovering how they reach their current heights, and envisioning what lies ahead in the next 5, 10, and 20 years.

Listen in as I have a conversation with my colleague Dan Piselli, FXCollaborative Director of Sustainability. We break down what it actually means for architects to commit to sustainability and discuss the state of climate commitments in architecture and beyond. We talk about how firms are measuring up to the AIA 2030 Commitment, the gaps between goals and actual progress, and, of course, what needs to change if we want to hit those looming 2030 and 2040 climate milestones.

Dan shares his insights into how sustainability has evolved from a niche interest to a central concern in architecture, as well as why some states and firms seem to be going faster than others in energy efficiency. We also talk about the commitments made by mechanical and structural engineers, contractors, and manufacturers because, after all, sustainability isn’t just an architect’s responsibility; it’s an industry-wide effort.

Along the way, we touch on the role of building codes, the impact of energy modeling (or lack thereof), and why some firms are struggling despite their best intentions, and, of course, we confront the big question: are we actually on track to meet net-zero goals, or are we just going through the motions?

Dan shows how industry climate commitments help track progress and drive real change, even though there’s still a lot of work to do. Moving forward, shifting laws and market trends should keep shaping sustainability efforts, with regeneration and adaptation playing big roles. If you are an architect, engineer, or just someone wondering what real climate action looks like in the world of architecture, then this episode is definitely for you.

Time stamps:
[02:09] - Dan reveals that his passion for sustainable architecture began in childhood and led him to become FX Collaborative’s director of sustainability.
[04:36] - The world is far from meeting Paris Climate Agreement targets, with U.S. climate funding looking at setbacks.
[07:57] - Dan points out how the AIA 2030 commitment pushes firms to design net-zero buildings.
[11:03] - In 2023, 61% of projects used energy models, but they only slightly outperformed non-modeled ones.
[13:04] - Various industry commitments focus on carbon reduction.
[16:06] - Dan argues that clients increasingly consider firms’ climate commitments.
[17:42] - Dan explains that, in 2023, 490 companies reported nearly 25,000 projects, with 10% meeting the 80% reduction target.
[20:08] - Ruben Hall, a nearly complete Passive House retrofit, exemplifies energy-efficient building conversion in NYC.
[23:18] - The 2030 memo outlines project goals, ensuring alignment with the commitment to energy efficiency.
[25:44] - Dan explains how daylight dimming systems and LED fixtures enhance energy efficiency.
[27:38] - Rapid environmental policy changes such as Local Law 9 stress the need for sustainability strategies focused on the future.
[28:58] - Dan argues that the future of sustainability is in regeneration.

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