Washington, D.C., November 24,
2008 — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has offered to assist
President-elect Barack Obama advance his goals of promoting green
buildings and focusing on the needs of urban areas. As a key player
in the last “Greening of the White House” initiative in
the 1990s, the AIA has also recommended making 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue an international model of energy efficiency.
“During the campaign, Barack Obama voiced plans to invest in
infrastructure, advance energy efficiency and sustainable
buildings, and to develop a 21st century transportation
system,” said Christine McEntee EVP / Chief Executive Officer
of the AIA. “These are all longstanding AIA goals, and we look
forward to working with the new administration as they tackle these
important challenges.”
Specific proposals:
• The AIA has recommended to the transition team that, due to
the central role that buildings play in securing energy
independence, it is vital that a high-level advisor on green
buildings be a part of the White House team to coordinate executive
branch activities and to promote these issues to the public.
• To address our nation’s energy and infrastructure
challenges, the AIA has offered to assist in the development of a
White House Office of Urban Policy, something Obama proposed during
the campaign.
• Following on its efforts to make federal buildings less
reliant on fossil fuels, the AIA has offered to work with the
administration to develop plans to make the White House an
international model of energy efficiency.
About The American Institute of
Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects
have worked with each other and their communities to create more
valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and
cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and
techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the
leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address
climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design.
Visit www.aia.org/walkthewalk.
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