This session will begin with a consensus definition for climate action and climate justice in architecture, followed by an honest reflection of how we as an industry struggle to address it in our work. We will introduce the AIA Climate Justice resource to help us understand the role architectural projects play in both environmental and social conditions, focusing explicitly on how the two intersect. Representatives from a project included in the inaugural climate justice case study cohort – the Frost Terrace affordable housing development in Cambridge, MA – will introduce their project and share reflections about how this climate justice initiative helped raise awareness about the financial, social and health benefits of their design decisions.
Learning Objectives
- Discover how architectural design engages with both the environmental and social aspects of climate change.
- Explore the key elements and spatial scales addressed by the AIA Climate Justice Framework.
- Learn how to apply lessons learned from AIA climate justice case study projects to current and future projects.
- Practice the changes to design process, community engagement, and project financing proposed by AIA climate justice case studies.