Architects have the power and creativity to greatly lower the amount of energy used in the built environment and position their industry at the forefront of climate change solutions. In 2005, the AIA called on its membership for a 50 percent energy reduction in the construction and operation of new and renovated buildings. This panel will discuss how energy performance targets and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program can help designers achieve this aggressive goal and close the gap between design and performance.
    Learning objectives:

• Discuss the importance of energy performance targets and identify ways to close the gap between energy estimates and a building’s actual operation
• Explore tools and resources that help set energy performance targets to ensure that building designs meet the AIA’s 50 percent energy reduction goal
• Illustrate how an AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects award architect was able to achieve exemplary energy performance