Hi folks,
We're kicking off a new way for us to collaborate as a network: monthly web-based conference calls. The first one will be on Friday, Nov 15 at 1:00 eastern time. The topic will be "Sustainability and the Small Firm: Practices in Transition" -- which is the name of the proposal James has submitted (and gotten first-round approved) for AIA 2020 in LA.
We've already started the conversation about this topic on the forum, so feel free to check that out. And here's the description that James submitted:
Despite AIA’s priority statements, the updated Code of Ethics including “Obligations to the Environment,” and incremental performance improvements in projects submitted to the DDx, the overall impact on the profession and built environment remains minor. We have information – the annual COTE Top 10, COTE Habits of High Performance Firms report, 2030 Commitment signatories’ Sustainable Action Plans, and COTE Top Ten Toolkit, but can these tools transform firm culture and the profession, and convince reluctant clients in small firm environments? How do we leverage these tools to make meaningful and lasting change?
We will discuss motivations - from AIA awards, Architect Top 50, or the random opportunity of a challenging project. Different leadership approaches evaluated include hiring experienced sustainability experts, developing expertise by investing in interested and motivated staff, or requiring sustainable education for new hires. Internal and external challenges and pitfalls addressed include reluctant clients/consultants, time/budget constraints, and unicorn client myth. We will also discuss the unique position of small firms – with challenges like lower overhead time and ‘multiple hat’ generalist staff, to the opportunities provided by greater flexibility and less hierarchy. We will discuss the roadmap small firms have developed to transform their culture and integrate sustainability in design.
Thanks to James for kicking this off and agreeing to help lead this call. I hope you can join us. If you're at your desk and can turn on a camera, it might almost feel like we're face-to-face!
And if you can't join us this month, put in a placeholder for next month's call: Dec 20, 1pm eastern.
Nadav
