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Revisiting Sustainability: A Recap of Our Recent Design Forum

The Architecture and Design Center's forum discussions are the perfect place to hear today's professionals speak on contemporary concerns in the design industry. In 2024, the non-profit is focusing on sustainability, a topic at the heart of the real estate and development industry, as Atlanta becomes the 3rd fastest growing city in the United States. Even more pressing when you consider that Atlanta ranks 48th in sustainable development.


The 4 experts speaking at the last Design Forum on Sustainability were John McFarland, Howard S. Werthiemer, Ed Akins, and Sam Culpepper. You can learn more about them in the blog post linked here. The moderator, ADC's Chairman of the board John Maximuk, tested the group with a gamut of questions ranging from "how can architects have better conversations with their clients around sustainability" to "what's the one thing you would tell your bother-in-law at Thanksgiving about Sustainability?" Through the discussion it became evident that a mindset shift in the way assets work for both the client and their intended audience needs to change in order to better serve the environment and the people.


The ADC has a recap of the event below but you can also attend the next event happening in June. Check back here for information as it becomes available. The next topic is "Designing for the Future: exploring the intersections between architecture and future technology."


Don't have time to watch the whole thing? Skip to our one minute movie clip section!


If you are having trouble hearing the conversation, put on closed captioning for greater clarity.


Full movie below


Resources



 

Quick and Informative Clips on Sustainability

One minute youtube clips from the panel discussion arranged by topic


Designing for Sustainability

Design decisions benefit from technology


Designing for the future - water conservation


Simplifying complex issues using design thinking


Proposal opportunities for architects in sustainability initiatives


Freedom of design leads to sustainability by addressing needs of the space and people


Highlighting micro environments to reduce carbon footprint



Return on Investment and Sustainability

ROI and building resale value in sustainability


ROI as a cultural value



Education About Sustainability

Framing conversations on sustainability


Proposal opportunities for architects in sustainability initiatives


Simplifying complex issues using design thinking


How Southface educates for sustainability


Education needs to happen around sustainability initiatives



Guidelines for Sustainability

"Long life loose fit" as a sustainability design guide


Shifting mindset around sustainability guiding principles


How do we bring the authority having jurisdiction into the sustainability conversation


"As a city we should say this is how we want a building to perform" - City ordinances


Embracing best practices as part of your design ethos


SDGs as the new method to ensure sustainability



LEAD Certifications and Sustainability

Replacing LEAD with performance based certifications


LEAD can inspire further sustainability initiatives








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