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Last month, Alliance Associate American Institute of Architects’s (AIA) North Carolina chapter announced plans for a new headquarters, to be located in downtown Raleigh, N.C. at the LNR Property Corporation’s Blount Street Commons. And this isn't just any HQ: the building will exhibit what AIA is calling “deep green” technology and design, the purpose of which is to not only mitigate the property’s environmental impact as well as its dependence on non-renewable energy, but to also promote and showcase new energy- and ecology-conscious designs, innovations and messages.
The AIA North Carolina Center for Architecture and Design will be “a modern shell with a green heart,” according to Frank Harmon, the Raleigh-based architectural firm designing the center. In addition to showcasing energy-efficient design, the facilities will also serve as an educational resource for professionals, government leaders, youth and members of the public interested in architecture.
“With over 2,400 architects across the state, we know we’ve got the potential to impact hundreds – if not thousands – of projects over time,” says Heather Vance, AIA NC’s Director of Programs and Communications. “We intend to use the built space as a learning tool, showcasing systems and technologies that others can use to make significant impacts where they live. We believe this is what it means to be ‘deep green.’”
“One highlight we are very proud of is the geothermal system which will provide heating and cooling for the building [and] which will reduce our reliance on fuel,” notes Vance. Custom windows, a rainwater collection system, ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, and a commitment to using local or recycled materials are just a few of the other features expected for the center. “Our building will incorporate several ideals that illustrate how the natural environment can flourish even as we build,” adds Vance.
AIA NC’s plan to move to greener headquarters comes as part of a larger AIA effort to promote energy efficiency and environmental friendliness as integral components of good design. As an Associate with the Alliance to Save Energy, AIA and many of its state chapters have already undertaken energy efficiency initiatives, ranging from office renovations to programs like AIA National’s “Sustainability Resource Center,” an online tool guiding AIA members committed to reducing energy consumption in their work.
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