"Union Studio Architecture & Community Design, a 36-person firm located in Providence, RI and Philadelphia, PA is hereby signing on to the AIA 2030 Commitment program and its goal of carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030."
“We believe that creating livable, walkable, equitable places is intrinsically linked to environmental responsibility, and is a natural extension of the classical ideal of living in harmony with the environment. Our commitment to the 2030 initiative is an investment in the future and a challenge to us and our profession to design ever more responsible, lovable, and timeless places for community to thrive.”
— Douglas Kallfelz, Co-founder & Managing Partner at UNION
The places where we live, work and play represent the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in America, as well as around the world. The design and construction industry has made significant strides toward creating high performance buildings of all types and uses. As a result, the industry is positioned to have a profound impact by continuing to foster high building performance and reducing building-related greenhouse gas emissions. As architects, we understand the need to exercise leadership in creating the built environment. We believe we must alter our profession’s practices and encourage our clients and the entire design and construction industry to join with us to change the course of the planet’s future. A multi-year effort will be required to alter current design and construction practices and realize significant reductions in the use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources and waste production and promote regeneration of natural resources.
The AIA 2030 commitment is an initiative that challenges architecture firms to lead the transformation of the built environment toward carbon neutrality. By committing to this goal, we agree to measure and report on our energy usage, aiming for a path where our projects contribute to a sustainable future. This commitment is not just about compliance; it’s about inspiring a cultural shift within the industry, ensuring that every design decision is made with the planet’s health in mind.
“As architects, we’re at the leading edge of how we impact and create our built environment, and as a mission-driven office, we’re putting our best foot forward. We’re showing that we care about this and we’re taking steps to influence how we work day to day. Just being carbon neutral is not enough. We have to start understanding the energy impact that our designs have on the environment.
We have the ability to positively influence our built environment, and by learning, challenging and educating ourselves, we position our team to not only be good architects, but great stewards of our environment.”
— Joe Haskett, Director of Sustainability, and Principal at UNION
