Advocates speak out
POPCourts!
PopCourts is a pop-up park in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s Westside. Imagined as a respite from the challenges brought on by the pandemic, PopCourts provides much-needed outdoor amenity space in the heart of Austin.
Listen.
Once an ecological sanctuary dominated by wetlands, the Calumet Region was altered by more than a century of industrialization.
Two Pieces of Plywood
This film shares the story of one campaign - Curbside Notary in Kansas City, Missouri. Specifically, how two simple pieces of plywood became a vessel for community conversation and action.
Story Map
Browse inspiring projects across the U.S. that show architects making a difference in their communities.
Climate change & equity
Climate change affects us all but doesn't affect us all equally.
What we build must be inclusive
“Architecture is about solving social issues and finding social justice. We're designing for the environment and for people who are marginalized.”
Donna U. Hope
"Architects, engineers, urban policy planners, and building managers have all had to come together to reduce emissions from buildings."
Climate change & community
Designing a sustainable future starts with designing a sustainable community.
Brit Lindberg, AIA
"It takes every architect and every project working together to impact climate action on a global scale."
Betsy Del Monte, FAIA
"Climate change is our responsibility."
Jeffrey Raven, FAIA
“Architects have an incredibly important role in configuring urban districts.”
Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA
“Architects have the professional knowledge to do better, and it’s our responsibility to have those conversations with clients.”
Emily Bauer
"Blueprint for Better is about how we comprehensively impact climate change through design."
Every day, every project
“The scale of the climate crisis affects everything. The need for action and concern by citizens and architects is critical.”
Greg Verabian, AIA
“Every year that goes by is a missed opportunity for architects to take action with the work they’re doing.”
Illya Azaroff, FAIA
"Architects have an incredible role to play in terms of carbon reduction, and how we build and retrofit buildings."
Jane Frederick, FAIA
“The climate crisis is the issue we have to deal with now. Don’t ask what will happen, be what happens.”
Jenine Kotob, AIA
"Architects can really start to transform the world so that buildings heal us from the world we live in."
Natasha Espada, AIA
“It’s vital for architects to be speaking about climate change. We need to be part of the solution and also come at the forefront of it.”
Sarah Curry, Assoc. AIA
“Solve the climate crisis any way that you can.”
Tim Hawk, FAIA
"Adapting buildings is the most sustainable thing we can do as architects. We should not have to tear down our buildings and put that material in a landfill."
Vishaan Chakrabarti, FAIA
“It’s not just about green buildings. It's also about green communities.”