Sustainability Action Week (SAW) is a beloved event at VDT, a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainable architecture. Since its beginning in 2017, SAW has served as a platform for education, innovation, and collaboration within our firm and the industry as a whole. This year, with the theme of Resilience in Architecture, we embarked on a week-long journey to explore strategies aimed at designing for longevity, durability, adaptability, and recovery from climate-related disruptions. Keep reading to see some of our favorite experiences and lessons learned from the week!

Monday

SAW 2024 commenced with a compelling presentation from VDT's internal sustainability group, buildGREEN(or)die. Nuala Brennan and Bob Webber led the charge by introducing us to the week's theme, emphasizing the importance of resilience both to the climate crisis and the built environment. Nuala and Bob introduced the team to the AIA Resilience Design Toolkit, a comprehensive resource that serves as a compass for navigating the challenges posed by climate change. Through their insights, we gained a deeper understanding of how our industry can evolve to meet the evolving demands of a changing climate. This session set the foundation for a week of exploration and discovery. Following the kickoff, our San Francisco office volunteered at Alemany Farms, helping harvest crops that serve the community, all while learning about resilience in the context of farming and the food we eat.

Tuesday

SAW entered its second day with a thought-provoking presentation from Scott Farbman and Anna Morton Rivera of dbHMS, a trusted sustainability partner that VDT collaborates with to achieve environmentally conscious design solutions. Their discussion centered around the intersection of Resiliency, Electrification, and Grid Interactive Buildings, shedding light on the transformative potential of transitioning to all-electric energy grids. By discussing the health, environmental, and energy benefits of eradicating natural gas, Farbman and Rivera emphasized the critical role that architectural decisions play in shaping a more sustainable future.

Wednesday

One of the most anticipated events of SAW is Trade Show Day, and this year was no exception. Featuring carefully curated products renowned for their durability and longevity, the trade show provided a firsthand glimpse into the latest innovations driving sustainable design. From flooring to chairs, to bricks and facades, each exhibitor showcased products that educated us about making conscious decisions when choosing materiality. We learned about the recyclability of products, longevity and durability, and what energy sources are used to make these products. Thank you to every vendor that contributed to our Sustainability Action Week!

• Forbo Flooring

• Bricks Incorporated

• Tarkett

• GCP Fireproofing

• Tate Inc

• Mōde

• The Good Plastic

• Lightly

• Emeco

• Plyboo

Later in the day, Karin Miller and Jessie Templeton from Brightworks Sustainability presented on the importance of material selection in resilient design. By delving into material performance under various conditions and the significance of life-cycle analysis, the Brightworks team equipped us with the knowledge needed to make informed design decisions that prioritize sustainability and resilience.

Thursday

As SAW unfolded, our teams embarked on immersive experiences designed to deepen our understanding of climate action and architectural resilience. In Chicago, our office visited the Climate Action Museum, immersing ourselves in exhibits that underscored the urgency of addressing climate change. Through a historical lens, the exhibit provided us with real world examples on how to make climate-friendly changes in our daily lives. 

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, we embarked on an architectural walking tour, exploring the city's built environment through the lens of resilience. These experiences provided invaluable insights that will inform our future endeavors as we continue to navigate the complexities of sustainability in architecture.

Friday

Closing out SAW 2024 on a high note, we had the privilege of learning from Arup's Andreanna Tzortzis and Ibrahim Almufti about the REDi Rating system. Developed by ARUP's Advanced Technology and Research team, the REDi Rating system serves as a pioneering framework for resilience-based design, offering guidelines for navigating earthquakes, extreme storms, and flooding. Through their presentation, Andreanna and Ibrahimi provided us with a roadmap for enhancing our approach to resilient architecture, ensuring that our designs are not only sustainable but also capable of withstanding the challenges posed by a changing climate.

Key Takeaways

Sustainability Action Week 2024 has been a resounding success, thanks to the dedication and passion of everyone involved. From enlightening presentations to immersive experiences, each day has contributed to our collective understanding of resilience in architecture. As we reflect on the insights gained and lessons learned, let us carry forward the spirit of SAW into our daily practice, striving to create a built environment that is not only sustainable but also resilient in the face of a changing climate. Until next year, let's remain steadfast in our pursuit of design excellence in sustainability and resilience!