Strategies for Innovative Designs

Tony Cortese is the president of Second Nature, co-organizer and leader of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, co-founder of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), as well as a consultant on institutionalizing sustainability principles and programs. In October 2010, he spoke to a group of educators and students at the national Bioneers Conference. In his speech he framed a call to action by educators as well as students to continue to educate their facility managers and administrators to change the way they are building and managing their facilities. The commitments to good environmental practices by educators are growing and the AASHE Climate Action Planning Wiki references numerous organizations, as well as rating systems that provide strategies for greening campuses.¹² Many of these innovative solutions will assist the design professional in meeting AASHE targets.

Tile roofing chosen at Stanford University in California, not only for permanence, durability and historic authenticity, but also for enhanced air quality Photo courtesy of Boral Roofing

Conclusion

Whether designing a new school or renovating an old one, there are new, innovative products that save time, money and the environment. Manufacturers continue to develop new technology, methods of construction and responses to environmental stewardship. Designers work on innovations that will help educators resolve to meet the challenge of the 21st century school.

Architect Celeste Allen Novak, AIA, LEED AP, specializes in sustainable design and planning in Ann Arbor, Michigan.