Interview with Susan Maxman, President, AIA

Interview with Susan Maxman, President, AIA 20 June 1992

Q.Where would you say architects as a group stand on environmental issues?

A.Architects tend to be reactive rather than proactive. It is important that we take the lead on these environmental issues. The architecture schools in particular tend to be conservative. They just aren’t incorporating this stuff into their curriculum. I go to a school and ask what they’re teaching on environmental issues in design, and they just shrug and point to an elective or two. It should be in every part of their curriculum, so it isn’t treated as a separate issue.

Q.How are you working to change that?

A.I just got back from Rio. It was incredible to see so many people there, from all corners of the earth, all focusing on one issue—the survival of the planet. This issue is one we have to deal with, and architects must take a leading role. I’ve just gotten the Board of Directors to adopt this as the AIA’s Number 1 issue. It will be the overall theme for next year’s convention in Chicago, and it will be very compelling. We’ve already started working on that.

Q.Is there any movement to include sustainability concerns in AIA design competitions?

A.Funny you should ask that. We are just about to meet with the Committee on Design to talk about establishing environmental criteria for judging the AIA Honor Awards. Future competitions will definitely consider environmental issues.

Q.The AIA’s Environmental Resource Guide (ERG) was funded in part with tax dollars. Is there any possibility of making it available to all building professionals at a reasonable price?

A.That’s a good point. I’ll work on that one. It is important that all building professionals have access to this information.

Q.How have you incorporated environmental concerns into your own work?

A.I’m not trying to identify with tree-hugging environmentalists, and I don’t think every building has to be a state-of-the-art environmental showpiece. But I do think we all have to move toward making our buildings more energy efficient, and we have to stop specifying endangered woods and resource-gobbling materials. The work I do is primarily in renovation and restoration, which is a most basic type or recycling. If we don’t start recycling our cities, reusing what’s already been built, what does it matter what the recycled content of a material is?

Currently we are designing a new 23,000 square foot building which, through the use of daylight and energy-efficiency HVAC systems, will save the client $40,000 a year in energy costs.

Q.Do you think you’ll succeed in moving the AIA to environmental awareness?

A.Coming from Rio there’s so much momentum and awareness around the globe on these issues. I believe firmly that architects have an important role to play. As Donald Hammer of the Tennessee Valley Authority put it: “[architects] are responsible for reducing the human footprint on our global ecosystem.” Now is the time. It’s happening. The AIA has to make this a priority and lead the way, or the movement will go on without us. I do believe that we will be successful in this effort.