For 152 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.

The American Institute of Architects Michigan is providing the opportunity for architects and all development team members, across the state, to have a web site dedicated to environmental issues. Sustainability is a relatively new influence to our profession and we are the leaders maintaining architectural standards. As “Sustainable Integrator” we will need to understand the basic shift in paradigm. The sustainable shifts within the building industry call for an enhanced environmental awareness; a greater team integration; and a new economic perspective. There is every intention for the web site to be a statewide grassroots endeavor that will address the full spectrum of the issues associated with the coming environmental changes .

The Committee on the Environment (COTE) Mission Statement:
"The Committee on the Environment (COTE) works to sustain and improve the environment by advancing and disseminating environmental knowledge and values, and advocating the best design practices to integrate built and natural systems to the profession, industry, and public."

COTE's Goals:
• Educate architects about the environment and the energy-related impact of design decisions and to encourage active membership participation in these activities.
• Communicate the AIA's environment and energy-related concerns to the public and private sectors and influence the decisions of the public, professionals, clients, and public officials on the impact of their environmental and energy related decisions.
• Foster leadership among architects in all facets of environmental decision making.
• Establish and maintain alliances with environmental organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council, Urban Land Institute, American Solar Energy Society, Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, and UIA World Congress of Architects.
• Promote implementation of a sustainable design program in architecture schools.