Firm Continues Decade Long History of Striving for Better in Sustainable Design

OAKLAND, Calif. — KTGY Architecture + Planning, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to sustainable design, released its Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) as the firm’s road map to meeting the goals of the AIA 2030 Commitment. The 2030 Commitment is a framework created by the American Institute of Architects to provide standardized tools for U.S. firms to track their progress toward achieving carbon-neutral construction by 2030.  

“As a signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment, creating a three-year Sustainability Action Plan is the first step,” said KTGY Principal and Chairman of the Board Jill Williams, AIA. “The SAP addresses KTGY’s sustainability commitment within six focus areas: firm commitment; design and approach; evaluation and reporting; outreach and advocacy; training and education; and operations and outlook in response to meeting the goals of the AIA 2030 Commitment.”

With the building and construction industry accounting for 49% of total energy consumption and 47% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, architects are well-positioned to play a meaningful role in achieving carbon neutrality in construction by 2030. 

“As one of the largest residential architecture practices in the country, we are compelled to play a significant part in finding creative and economically feasible ways to lower the carbon footprint of the buildings we design,” KTGY Principal Ben Kasdan, AIA, LEED AP, who is serving as KTGY’s 2030 committee chair.

Kasdan continues, “Ideally, the AIA 2030 Commitment goals will increase the energy performance of KTGY’s design work and improve the quality of the living experience for the residents and guests of the buildings and spaces that KTGY designs, and as a result, increase the value of those projects for our clients. On a day-to-day basis, the AIA 2030 Commitment will inspire a more informed design process with additional data and tools for tracking predicted energy performance and life cycle analysis.”

KTGY joins fellow firms in the AIA Large Firm Roundtable and other architects across the country who endeavor to reduce a building’s dependence upon non-renewable resources and increase the energy performance of the buildings that they design in order to combat climate change. 

“Ultimately, the goal of the AIA 2030 Commitment is to design buildings that use 80% less non-renewable energy starting now as compared to a similar type of building of the same size and location. In 2025, the design goal ratchets up to using 90% less non-renewable energy than a typical building and meeting zero net energy (ZNE) standards by 2030,” Kasdan noted.

“Joining the AIA 2030 Commitment sets KTGY apart along with other leading architectural firms in the United States that are also dedicated to creating sustainable developments,” Kasdan said. “While KTGY has a proven track record of designing sustainable and high-performance residential projects — including the first subdivision of entirely LEED Certified homes at Carsten Crossings in Rocklin, California in 2007, and the largest ZNE on-campus student housing community in the University of California system at Plaza Verde at UC Irvine in 2019, signing on to the AIA 2030 Commitment makes sustainability an integral part of KTGY’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan.”

The AIA 2030 Commitment can be found here. The link to view or download KTGY Architecture + Planning’s Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) as a pdf file can be found here. 

About KTGY Architecture + Planning 
Founded in 1991, KTGY Architecture + Planning is a leading full-service design firm focused on residential and mixed-use developments and neighborhood revitalization. KTGY seamlessly delivers innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple design studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to create memorable destinations of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from six office locations including Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland and Tysons (Virginia).  See www.ktgy.com.