AIArchitect, July 18, 2005 - Sixteen Architecture Group Presidents Sign Environmental Declaration

07/2005

Sixteen Architecture Group Presidents Sign Environmental Declaration
Document calls for resource management and reduction of atmospheric pollution

In May, presidents of 16 of the world’s architecture institutions, including the AIA, signed the “Las Vegas Declaration” during the International Presidents’ Forum, a meeting held annually during the AIA national convention, held this year in Las Vegas. The declaration recognizes the great responsibility placed on the architecture profession to do all it can to influence a major reduction in the level of carbon emissions that result from the creation and life-cycle of the built environment.

Following is the agreement in its entirety and the names of the leaders who signed it.

The Las Vegas Declaration
We the undersigned, Presidents of our respective national architectural institutes, agree to give priority to the vital issue of climate change. We recognize the great responsibility that we have as a profession to do all we can to influence a major reduction in the level of carbon emissions from the built environment.

We commit ourselves to setting an example through the careful management of resources within our own organizations and encouraging our members and clients to do so in respect to their projects. We also agree to engage with our respective governments to help influence relevant legislation and fiscal measures to radically reduce the pollution of the earth’s atmosphere and the consequent threat to life and the natural environment.

Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, president, The American Institute of Architects

Yolanda D. Reyes, chairman, Architects Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA)

José Manuel Reachi Mora, president, Federacion de Colegios de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana (FCARM)

Gabriel Durand-Hollis, FAIA, president, Panamerican Federation of Architects Associations (FPAA)

Francisco Méndez Ugalde, president, Costa Rica Institute of Architects (CACR)

Yoshiaki Ogura, president, Japan Institute of Architects (JIA)

Seok Woo Yoon, president, Korean Institute of Architects (KIA)

Yael Kinsky, AIA, president, The Israeli Association of Independent Architects (IAIA)

Robert Nation, FRAIA, president, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)

Yves Gosselin, FRAIC, president, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)

George Ferguson, president, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Endorsed by:

Jose Luis Cortes, vice president Region III, The Americas, International Union of Architects (UIA)

Louise Cox, LFRAIA, vice president Region IV, Asia and Oceania, International Union of Architects (UIA)

Frank M. Guillot, AIA, president, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

Robert A. Odermatt, FAIA, president, National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)

Rafael Longoria, president, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).

Beginning with the 2002 AIA National Convention, approximately a dozen presidents of national, regional, and international architects associations have attended the annual International Presidents’ Forum, created to foster informal, broad-reaching consultation and information-sharing.