ICC to abandon the governmental consensus process, limiting transparency in the energy code development process.

WASHINGTON – March 4, 2020 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) issued the following statement today following the International Code Council’s (ICC) decision to eliminate robust public input, transparency and governmental consensus voting by its membership for the energy code development process. ICC issued the decision to move to a standard development process despite strong opposition from AIA, ICC’s membership, industry organizations and members of Congress.

“We are deeply disappointed to see the ICC move forward with this change, which we believe will present a step backwards for climate action,” said AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA. “This heavily opposed decision stands to only serve select special interest groups and will no doubt erode progress towards the modern codes that are desperately needed to heal our planet. We hope the ICC Board of Directors will ensure transparency and fairness in the selection of this new standard committee and take its oversight responsibility seriously.”

In its decision issued today, the ICC Board of Directors voted to create a new committee—to be selected by the ICC Board—that would make decisions on residential and commercial energy efficiency codes. As part of this move, the ICC effectively eliminates a final governmental vote by its members. The move appears to be in the interest of granting select special interest groups—such as the National Association of Home Builders and the American Gas Association—with greater decision-making authority.

AIA has been fighting the ICC’s proposal since it was proposed in December. On Jan. 6, AIA provided public input to the ICC Board of Directors and leadership expressing staunch opposition to the plan. On Jan. 21, AIA representative to the ICC Long Term Code Development Process Committee, Chris Chwedyk, AIA, testified at the ICC’s Board of Directors public comment hearing echoing AIA’s opposition.

Visit AIA’s website to learn more about its efforts to advance codes and legislation for climate action.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) commends the Biden Administration’s decision to overturn the Executive Order, “Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture.”

“By overturning this order, the Biden Administration has restored communities with the freedom of design choice that is essential to designing federal buildings that best serve the public,” said AIA 2021 President Peter Exley, FAIA. “This is fundamental to an architect’s process and to achieving the highest quality buildings possible. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration towards developing policies that create healthy, just and equitable communities.”

Under former President Trump’s Executive Order, government agencies could mandate an architectural style preference for federal courthouses and other federal buildings. It also promoted “classical” and “traditional” architecture above other designs and required extensive justification to use other styles. Additionally, the order conveyed misinformation about the General Service Administration’s (GSA) Design Excellence Program, which the AIA strongly supports. Overall, the mandate inappropriately elevated the design tastes of a few federal appointees over the communities in which the buildings would be placed.

The AIA and its members have been working to stop the order for more than a year. In February of 2020, AIA members sent more than 11,400 letters to the White House condemning the earlier draft Executive Order. AIA leadership also issued letters on Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 to the Trump Administration strongly opposing the order.

Additionally, AIA had been advocating for The Democracy in Design Act, which was introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) on July 15. The Act would have effectively thwarted the Executive Order by codifying the General Service Administration’s (GSA) Design Excellence Program principles into statute and ensuring the federal government maintains neutrality on architectural styles.

Visit AIA’s website to learn more about its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.

AIA CA Sponsored Bill Introduced

AIA CA was able to get a bill introduced as directed by our Board of Directors. Assembly Member Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto) introduced AB 1010 February 18. This bill represents the professions commitment to Climate Action by becoming leaders on the design zero net carbon buildings. AB 1010 creates a new continuing education requirement (5 hours every 2 years) in zero net carbon design.

California is taking aggressive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These steps include net zero energy requirements for buildings, the generation of energy from renewable sources, the adoption of local electrification codes, and more sustainable state building codes and standards.

The AB 1010 continuing education will allow architects to remain informed of not only changing building codes and standards, but how to design high-performing zero net carbon buildings that go beyond the minimum required standards.

If AB 1010 is enacted, the coursework will:

• Educate all architects in California about the urgency of rapid carbon reduction in the built environment and provide simple, cost-effective ZNC design strategies and tools to get there
• Prepare all architects for rapidly changing building codes and a marketplace shifting toward advanced energy efficiency, carbon neutrality, and long-term resilience
• Mobilize the profession to take leadership in accelerating statewide de-carbonization to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all Californians in the face of the mounting climate crisis

AB 1010 will have its first hearing in April.

AIA CA Supported Members Appointed to Code Advisory Committees of the California Building Standards Commission

The California Building Standards Commission, when adopting the building codes and standards, relies on advice and recommendations from six Code Advisory Committees. The six committees are Accessibility Committee, Building, Fire & Other Committee, Green Building Committee, Health Facilities Committee, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical & Energy Committee, and Structural Design/Lateral Forces Committee.

Each committee must have at least one architect as a member. We are pleased to report that each AIA CA supported architect received an appointment to a 2021-2023 Code Advisory Committee last week.

The following Members are volunteering their time and knowledge to improve California’s building codes and standards:

Bill Zellmer, AIA
Member of Access Code Advisory Committee: Disabled Access Advocate – Disabled Access Advocate: Cognitive Representative

Chair of Health Facility Advisory Committee: Acute Care Hospital Representative

Jay Whisenant, AIA
Chair of Access Code Advisory Committee: Architect Representative

Jay Hyde, AIA
Member of PEME Advisory Committee: Architect Representative

Steve Winkel, FAIA
Chair of BFO Advisory Committee: Architect Representative

Gary McGavin, AIA
Member of SD/LF Advisory Committee: Architect Representative

David Field, AIA
Member of Health Facilities Advisory Committee: Architect Representative

Sharon Refvem, FAIA
Member of Green Building Standards Advisory Committee: Architect Representative

What you can do right now: Electrify Everything

By: Scott Shell, FAIA, Henry Siegel, FAIA, Joel Stout, AIA

What you can do right now:

1. If you are designing a new building, work with your engineers to analyze and propose all-electric equipment and appliances rather than gas equipment and appliances.
2. If you are rehabilitating existing buildings analyze the costs of “fuel switching” to all electric equipment. This may be limited by the size of the electrical equipment, but rebates are available for fuel switching.
3. Assist local jurisdictions in passing reach codes that mandate all electric construction for new buildings

Additional Tools and Resources:

A 5-Step Roadmap to Zero-Emissions Buildings in CA

Building Electrification Action Plan for Climate Leaders

Building Electrification

A Roadmap to Decarbonize California’s Buildings