Resilient Design is about planning and designing our buildings and built environment to be capable of sustaining probable impact from progressive climate change and episodic natural disasters.
– AIA California Resilient Design Committee Working Definition
California is experiencing unprecedented impact from changing climate and natural disasters. Sea level rise, wildfires, heat waves, and earthquakes are threatening our buildings and communities. The design community can no longer conduct business as usual. Adaptation through design in response to changing climate is vital to achieve resiliency for our buildings and communities. To match the current rate of change, California architects must respond by incorporating resilient design principles in their design processes, as well as inspiring clients and communities to value resilient design and its positive effect on the built environment and quality of life.
Tian Feng, FAIA, FCSI, Co-chair of the committee stated, “As a part of the Climate Action Initiative, AIA California launched the Resilient Design Committee in May 2021. The Resilient Design Committee’s objective is to advocate for California architects’ critical role in achieving climate resilience for buildings and other components of the built environment through design excellence and resiliency best practices”.
The Resilient Design Committee has 3 charges in the near term:
1- Begin to deliver education programs to AIA California membership and consumers.
2- Work with AIA National to be a part of their document development process.
3- Engage AIA California components and allied committees to synergize resources.
The Committee is preparing for the following events:
1- Survey of State of Practice for Resilient Design through AIACA components.
2- Townhall with AIACA components to share the findings of the survey and to solicit input.
3- Call for interest in submitting resilient design success stories and lessons learned.
