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Winter Summit 2019: SDL Guiding Principles

Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

February 8, 2019

We just wrapped up an awesome Winter Summit at Gulf State Park in Alabama. I'll be posting flip chart pages and notes here--we can use this forum to continue the conversations.

Apologies for the flurry of emails, but it seems best to start separate threads for each topic. If you'd rather limit the flow, you can switch to daily digest mode for notifications--see info in the footer of this message.

We started with an exploration of "The Big Question"--a follow-up to previous conversations about a "New North Star" and "The Vision Vacuum." We wrapped that conversation today by deciding to develop a list of Guiding Principles for this group. I'll post the results of our brainstorm on that as soon as we can get it compiled. Meanwhile, here are the notes from the conversations that led into it.

From the Agenda Survey:

Architects And Firms Making A Difference: What are our top imperatives and opportunities?
- Leading the Industry:
  - Looking for inspiration, how do we become firms that are making a difference and pushing the sustainability envelope?
  - How has our industry embraced a range of issues regarding reducing our energy use/carbon on projects? How do we apply the best strategies and not lose focus like we have been?
  - How are other firms leveraging services to position the business with clients, recruit and retain talent?
  - What outreach is being done by other firms and how/does it tie into project work?
  - Don't tell me about already-committed clients. Where are the conversion stories slipping in sustainability?
- Prioritizing:
  - How did you go through the process of defining top imperatives and opportunities? How do they continue to evolve?
  - How do we prioritize our time and messages? How do we find opportunities to try new approaches and get a fee to cover it? Where is it worth spending more overhead for better outcomes regardless?
  - How are we talking about priorities and trajectory as sustainable design leaders in a world where priorities may be shifting and the horizon for change is growing shorter and shorter? How do we continue our conversation regarding our “new northstar?”
  - Where can we have the truest impact in the face of current challenges? Can we be effective w/in a bigger system that isn't sustainable?
- Collaborating/Learning from Others:
  - How do I use the inspiration and energy of what other firms are doing and how to help bring back those ideas to our firms?
  - Who’s leading the way and how do we best learn from them?
  - Where are the opportunities for us as leaders to collaborate on what/how to keep moving forward with relevant initiatives?
  - These are often some of the most inspiring aspects of our field; what can we learn that can be folded into our own way of doing things?

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Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

Sat, 02/09/2019 - 01:12

Two more files to share here--last ones for now! 1. Big-picture thoughts as we started the last day, with (on page 3), our thinking as the idea of focusing on Guiding Principles emerged. 2. The slide deck with collected pages from previous Summit reports, showing the thinking that led up to this conversation: The Vision Vacuum discussion from Summer 2017 at Islandwood, the follow up to that from Winter 2018 in Austin, and the "New North Star" impromptu discussion from Summer 2018 in Garrison.

Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

Thu, 02/14/2019 - 15:24

Ok--here's an opportunity to re-engage if you were at last week's Summit, and to engage if you weren't: In the final session of the Summit the conversation about a shared direction/focus/vision for this group shifted to an exploration of SDL Guiding Principles. We had very little time, so we spent 5 minutes brainstorming individually, with each person writing down whatever occurred to them on this topic. Here's a Google doc compilation of what everyone who was there had to say. The google doc is open for anyone with the link to comment, so please take a look at what's there, comment on what inspires you, and, if you get inspired to create your own version/revision, feel free to share that here. We'll set up a time soon when anyone who wishes can meet via Zoom to work on these. To whet your appetite, here's what some people had to say ABOUT the guiding questions:

Guiding Principles should provide a framework for us as SDLs to further sustainable design without being restrictive as to how that is to be done or what objectives are to be pursued.
They should also inspire as well as challenge us.
They are flexible and can be multi-directional to support “constellation” of interests that drive this group.
Carbon must have a solid home at the top of this list as the health and well-being of humanity is dependent on putting our oars in the water
Guiding Principles can be used to focus the outreach/advocacy efforts of SDL as well as to organize the areas of discussion in the ways we convene
We have touched on disruption but not fleshed it out---there’s something here to develop
EDI should be part of these principles.
We are changemakers and so principles should align with theory of change principles—well documented online (although, of course, subject to change with more research)
Principles can be both “how we operate” and “what we operate on” – i.e. supportive, inclusive, system thinking, open to change; but also “regenerative design to enable habitats, ecosystems, including people, to recover to a sustainable state for the populations

Lois Vitt Sale

Chief Sustainability Officer

Wight & Company

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Wed, 02/20/2019 - 23:05

Here is a first draft of the Guiding Principles. I am confident that it will be much improved with the thoughtfulness of this group of deep thinking people. I thought I would just kick off the conversation with a starter list. I have also uploaded the draft in a word format so you can download and edit it as needed. This is supposed to be a document for us all....so now I turn it over to you all. :) DRAFT Guiding Principles - SDL

We are an informal network of design professionals leading the sustainable practice for our firms.
The purpose of our network is multi-dimensional and includes but is not limited to the following:
1. We come together in person and through the Green Guru’s interface to share knowledge, resources and strategies that can contribute to the improvement of our practices and encourage deeply sustainable solutions for the built environment.
2. We affirm that this network is a safe environment where the information we share is confidential unless permission to share is granted.
3. We recognize that global warming and climate change are critical environmental realities that we must address in our practices in order to safeguard the future of the health of the planet and humankind.
4. We recognize that design can have positive and negative health impacts and that building solutions that do not deliver healthy, high performing places where people thrive are unacceptable.
5. We recognize that the building industry is beginning to understand the implications of their choices on the health of those who occupy those places. We, as a network, can be and have been a positive force in ensuring the places we design prioritize human health and the products we specify do no harm.
6. We remain agnostic to green building rating systems and embrace any third party certification that advances healthy, high performing buildings.
7. We recognize that we are a well-respected voice in the building industry and from time to time may choose to advocate for or against a practice that meets or defeats our principles.
8. We recognize that as sustainable design leaders a world that engenders social equity is key dimension of sustainability and will work to foster opportunities for equity at our place of business and in our projects.
9. We recognize that equity, diversion and inclusion is one dimension of social equity and that a balanced workforce can solve the issues we are facing better than one that is siloed. We will use our roles as sustainable design leaders to lend a hand in ensuring our practices and projects reflect the communities where we are located.
10. We acknowledge that we are still learning, that creative solutions and new technologies in development and on the horizon can assist us in meeting the imperatives that drive us, and we agree to stay flexible and open to change.

Myer Harrell

Sr. Regenerative Design Advisor, Sr. Associate

Perkins & Will

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Fri, 02/22/2019 - 05:29

Lois, I just want to say -- this is pretty amazing! The Guiding Principles seem like the right tone and level for where we ended the discussion at the Winter Summit. I am sure we will discuss and edit the finer points (I myself need to take more time to digest and reflect on each one), but I want to say that I appreciate the way you've distilled these. -Myer

Lois Vitt Sale

Chief Sustainability Officer

Wight & Company

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Fri, 02/22/2019 - 14:08

You’re welcome Myer. It seemed like getting it down while our time at the Winter Summit was fresh was the best course forward. Looking forward to seeing it develop. L F

Sonja Favaloro

Marketing Director

BuildingGreen

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Tue, 02/26/2019 - 20:47

If you'd like to participate in a conversation about the Guiding Principles, please join a Zoom meeting on Monday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time! This meeting is open to anyone who wants to share thoughts and feedback about these guiding principles, and/or contribute new ideas. Nadav and Lois will be facilitating the discussion. We are trying out this format and may host more informal working meetings like these in the future. MEETING INFO:
Topic: SDL Guiding Principles Meeting
Time: Mar 4, 2019 3:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/983507673
One tap mobile +19292056099,,983507673# US +16699006833,,983507673# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 983 507 673

Sonja Favaloro

Marketing Director

BuildingGreen

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Mon, 03/04/2019 - 19:00

Hi folks, just a reminder that we will have an open meeting to discuss the Guiding Principles today at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time! Hope you can join. MEETING INFO:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/983507673

One tap mobile +19292056099, 983507673# US +16699006833,983507673# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 983 507 673

Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

Mon, 04/29/2019 - 21:48

Hi folks, I took another pass at Lois' draft Guiding Principles--tightening them up a bit and adding one about the "Safe Space". What do you think?

We are an informal network of design professionals leading the sustainable practice for our firms. The following principles guide us in our collaborations:
1. We come together in person and online to share knowledge, resources and strategies that can contribute to the improvement of our practices and encourage deeply sustainable solutions for the built environment.
2. We operate in a “safe space” in which we honor each person’s contributions and commit never to attribute revealing information to a specific individual or firm without their explicit permission. (Chatham House Rule)
3. We recognize that climate change is a critical environmental reality that we must address in our practices in order to safeguard the future of the health of the planet and humankind.
4. We recognize that design can have positive and negative health impacts and that building solutions that do not deliver healthy, high performing places where people thrive are unacceptable.
5. Individually and as a network we are a positive force in ensuring the places we design prioritize human and ecosystem health and the products we specify do no harm.
6. We remain agnostic with regard to green building rating systems and embrace any third-party certification that advances healthy, high performing buildings.
7. We are willing and ready to use our collective voice in the building industry to advocate for or against a practice that promotes or runs counter to our principles.
8. We recognize that equity, diversion and inclusion are imperative and that a balanced workforce can solve the issues we are facing better than one that is siloed. We will use our roles as sustainable design leaders to lend a hand in ensuring our practices and projects reflect the communities where we are located.
9. We are still learning and welcome creative disruption and new solutions that can help us achieve our goals.

Myer Harrell

Sr. Regenerative Design Advisor, Sr. Associate

Perkins & Will

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Tue, 04/30/2019 - 03:24

Nadav, these are great! Thank you for keeping this going. A couple of minor suggested edits in bold: 4. We recognize that design can have positive and negative health impacts and that only building solutions that deliver healthy, high performing places where people thrive are acceptable. 7. We are willing and ready to use our collective voice in the building industry to advocate for a practice that promotes our principles or against a practice that runs counter to our principles. 8. We recognize that equity, diversion and inclusion are imperative, and that a heterogeneous and balanced workforce can solve the issues we are facing better than one that is homogeneous and siloed. Cheers, Myer

Audrey Alverson

Director of Marketing

Hacker Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Thu, 05/02/2019 - 17:43

May I point out that #8 says “equity, diversion and inclusion”? How about we make that diversity! ;) Audrey Alverson LEED Green Assoc. Director of Marketing Associate Principal Hacker o 503-227-1254 d 503-972-5363 hackerarchitects.com Fro

Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

Tue, 05/07/2019 - 09:32

Thanks for the great edits, Myer. And Audrey--thanks for catching that unfortunate typo! I've incorporated those changes into this draft. We can keep going with tweaks and/or suggestions for improvement. I'm hoping that we'll work on this further, and maybe move towards something we can (semi)-formally adopt, at the Summer Summit. (Myer--I'm not sure if it was your intention to drop the 2nd sentence from #8, but I liked that idea, as it keeps that one more parallel with the others.)

We are an informal network of design professionals leading the sustainable practice for our firms. The following principles guide us in our collaborations:
1. We come together in person and online to share knowledge, resources and strategies that can contribute to the improvement of our practices and encourage deeply sustainable solutions for the built environment.
2. We operate in a “safe space” in which we honor each person’s contributions and commit never to attribute revealing information to a specific individual or firm without their explicit permission. (Chatham House Rule)
3. We recognize that climate change is a critical environmental reality that we must address in our practices in order to safeguard the future of the health of the planet and humankind.
4. We recognize that design can have positive and negative health impacts and that only building solutions that deliver healthy, high performing places where people thrive are acceptable.
5. Individually and as a network we are a positive force in ensuring the places we design prioritize human and ecosystem health and the products we specify do no harm.
6. We remain agnostic with regard to green building rating systems and embrace any third-party certification that advances healthy, high performing buildings.
7. We are willing and ready to use our collective voice in the building industry to advocate for a practice that promotes our principles or against a practice that runs counter to our principles.
8. We recognize that equity, diversity and inclusion are imperative, and that a heterogeneous and balanced workforce can solve the issues we are facing better than one that is homogeneous and siloed.
9. We are still learning and welcome creative disruption and new solutions that can help us achieve our goals.

Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

Sun, 07/21/2019 - 18:37

Here's a revised draft of the SDL Guiding Principles, based on input from a recent Regional Leaders call. They keep getting better! We are an informal network of design professionals leading sustainable practice for our firms. The following principles guide us in our collaborations:

Sharing. We come together in person and online to share knowledge, resources and strategies that can contribute to the improvement of our practices and encourage deeply sustainable solutions for the built environment.
Honoring honesty. We operate in a “safe space” in which we honor each person’s contributions and commit never to attribute revealing information to a specific individual or firm without their explicit permission. (Chatham House Rule)
Positive impact. Individually and as a network we are a positive force in ensuring that the places we design and the products we specify cultivate regeneration and restoration of human and ecosystem health.
Urgency. We recognize that climate change is a critical environmental reality that we must address in our projects and in society as a whole in order to safeguard the health of ecosystems on the planet and humankind.
Advocacy. We are willing and ready to use our collective voice in the building industry to advocate for actions that promote our principles or against actions that run counter to our principles.
Inclusivity. We recognize that equity, diversity and inclusion are both an obligation and an opportunity; heterogeneous and balanced teams and communities can address the issues we are facing better than those that are homogeneous and siloed.
Resetting expectations. We seek to change the building industry’s attitude toward what’s acceptable, to include only practices that deliver healthy, high performing places where people can thrive.
Independence. We remain agnostic with regard to green building rating systems and embrace any third-party certification that advances a healthy, high-performing built environment.
Curiosity. We are always learning and welcome creative disruption and new solutions that can help us achieve our goals.

Lois Vitt Sale

Chief Sustainability Officer

Wight & Company

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Sun, 07/21/2019 - 19:13

Well done. Nice evolution. Lois Lois Vitt Sale, FAIA, LEED Fellow Chief Sustainability Officer Wight & Company 630.739.7514 T 630.450.1662 C Sent from my iPad Lois Vitt Sale, FAIA, LEED Fellow Senior Vice President Wight & Company 2500 North Frontage Road Darien, IL 60561630.969.7000 | d 630.739.7514 | m 630.450.1662 | f 630.969.7979 www.wightco.com

Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

Tue, 07/05/2022 - 15:28

Wow--this might set a record for time lapse before reviving an old thread.... We've revisited these Guiding Principles now in several different settings, and the SDL Steering Group recently took one more pass at some adjustments and approved them for release. So, here are the *official* SDL Guiding Principles, in place until further notice. We'll be using these when onboarding new members. They can also be shared for outreach--there's nothing secret about them. And they might make a good touchstone when kicking off events. Any other thougths on how they might be useful? I found the process of drafting and refining these to be really helpful in clarifying our intentions and purpose as a group. Thanks to all who contributed! Nadav

Lois Vitt Sale

Chief Sustainability Officer

Wight & Company

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Mon, 07/11/2022 - 12:19

Wow these have come a long way and reflects the evolution I think we’ve all experienced since our summit in Alabama…that time can be known as the time before – there have been so many disruptions, eruptions, shifts and slides since February 2019. I think these principles are clear and relevant and reflect the purpose of SDL very well. Thanks to those of you who have contributed to their evolution and to you Nadav. I love that these principles have resurfaced and evolved. Lois From:

Michelle Smith

Bergmeyer Associates

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Mon, 07/11/2022 - 14:10

Hello all, I'm still new to the SDL program, and wanted to say thank you for all the work that ALL of you do, every day, in the name of all the guiding principles! I think it's a fantastic document, that could be adopted by nearly every firm/company, with little modification, if they wanted sustainability-oriented guiding principles themselves. The two principles that speak the most to me are Curiosity and Urgency. I still find it challenging that we all need to continue to "make the case" for sustainability consideration, integration, and prioritization at all when it comes to conversations about the built environment. There are so many more resources, options, and successful case studies than there were two or three decades ago, and yet, still- convincing, proving, advocating, across all facets of building science, design, and construction. So again, thank you for all that you do! Cheers, -Michelle