The Weber Thompson Sustainabiliteam (WTST) is a reflection of the AIA 2030 Commitment, a voluntary initiative in which architecture firms track and annually report their project portfolio (with benchmarking and progress against the 2030 Challenge targets), write a sustainability action plan, and commit to improving their own office operations. Weber Thompson signed on in 2010, and we have been tracking our portfolio and office operations since. In honor of Earth Day we asked team members of the WTST about why sustainability is important to them:

Sustainability is important to me because…

“I’d like to be considered part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
Austin Besse, Senior Associate

“Humans are part of a delicate and tenuous natural system, and it’s our responsibility to avoid obstructing that beautiful balance.”
Brittany Porter, Associate

“I want future generations to be able to continue to call this planet home.”
Erin Hatch, Senior Associate

“There is a lot that our built environment can do to support a healthy ecosystem!”
Rachael Meyer, Landscape Architecture Principal

Sustainability inspires me to…

“Design in a more holistic way.”
Fanny Idoux, Associate

“Live better personally and build a world that’s better than I found it. ”
Tanya Kataria, Team Member

“Find ways to leave a lighter footprint on this planet in my daily life.”
Chelsea Gorkiewicz, Associate

“Seek to deepen clarity for good design and ecologically restorative buildings.”
Kirsten Clemens, Senior Associate

Instead of sustainability, let’s call it…

“Resiliency. Habits, policy and overall design should address environmental, economic & social considerations while being able to adapt to change.”
Susan Frieson, Senior Associate

“Architecture! Let’s get sustainability baked into everything we do!”
Emily Evenson, Associate

“Future proofing.”
Emily Doe, Senior Associate

“Common sense.”
Amanda Keating, Senior Principal

To me, sustainable design means…

“Energy efficiency and resiliency. We need to push the industry to prioritize and standardize these features.”
Aaron Swain, Senior Associate

“A lifestyle – it’s not just about the design, but how you can inspire users to continue the sustainable design approach through their daily lives. ”
Rachael Bauer, Senior Associate

“Thinking about design at different scales and being cognizant of the life cycle of the built environment.”
Cody Lodi, Principal