With sustainability capturing the attention of state and local elected officials nationally, the International Code Council (ICC) has partnered with the AIA and ASTM International to co-author a green building code for new and existing commercial construction. Entitled the “International Green Construction Code: Safe & Sustainable By the Book” (IGCC), the initiative is committed to developing a model building code focused heavily on building design and performance, recognizing that buildings consume approximately 40 percent of the energy used in the U.S. and produce about the same amount of the nation’s carbon emissions.

Pictured at the press conference: (front, l to r) Paul Mendelsohn, VP Government and Community Relations, AIA; and Christine McEntee, CEO, AIA. (Back, l to r) Chris Green, AIA, LEED-AP and Vice Chair, ICC Sustainable Building Technology Committee; Peter Arsenault, AIA, LEED-AP, Vice President AIA Board of Directors; and John J. Loyer, Director, AIA State Relations.

“We believe the time has come for us to develop a code that will stand as a useful and credible regulatory framework for creating a greener commercial building stock,” said ICC Chief Executive Officer Richard P. Weiland. “We applaud and plan to utilize the good work of those who have developed systems, guidelines and standards to address green buildings.”

At a June 29 press conference in Washington, D.C., leaders from the partnering organizations acknowledged the work of many other organizations that have developed “green tools” impacting the built environment and welcomed their support and assistance in crafting the new initiative. After recognizing the historic role of their own respective members in the development of codes such as the International Energy Conservation Code and the rapid evolution of new systems and guidelines to address green technology, all agreed that it was time to move into a new era of codes that specifically focus on green buildings and high performance.

“We are now at a place in the evolution of the sustainability movement that requires the specificity, the reliability, and the enforceability that only a code can bring,” said ICC Board President Adolf Zubia as he outlined the Code Council’s development timeline, which will include public meetings of the Sustainable Building Technology Committee (SBTC), the newly formed ICC committee charged with writing the actual draft of the code itself, a public comment period on the committee’s initial draft, and a final draft that will be made available in 2010 as a resource document before it moves through the development hearing and final action hearing stages. The new code will be published and ready for adoption by 2012.

The AIA will have very visible participation in the development process, with several architects as voting members of the SBTC. While attending the press event, SBTC Vice Chair Chris Green, AIA, from Avon, Colo., said: “As an architect, the opportunity to be involved with and influence the creation of a green building code is a significant and exciting opportunity. This code will establish the foundation for minimum green building standards for adoption by all our communities in the United States. In fact, this code will help shape the future practice of our profession and reinforce the sustainable paradigm architect's are currently working toward.”

ICC CEO Weiland referenced the compatibility of the AIA 2030 carbon neutrality goals with the green code initiative, and emphasized the importance of design, architects, and architecture in creating a useful tool for AIA members as well as the ICC membership. AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee made key remarks at the launch event.

“The AIA commends the leadership of ICC and is delighted to join with them and other stakeholders in working collaboratively toward the goal of a model green construction code,” said McEntee. “It is important for the private sector to be proactive and take a leadership position in the development of building codes and standards, and this initiative makes a strong statement regarding the usefulness and necessity of the International Green Construction Code in fulfilling that goal. As the team leader in determining the performance of buildings, architects welcome the prospect of a reliable and quantifiable tool that will be a valuable resource in helping advance our steadfast commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.”