Architecture and Sustainable Business...is it possible?

The field of Architecture presumes its advancement in sustainability is equal, if not far above that of other industries.  As for the new material and technological advancements for sustainable buildings, I would agree that Architecture is moving forward quickly.  When it comes to incorporating these new materials and technologies, the field is not nearly as far along as some would like to believe.  

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a point system that provides architects with a list and description of sustainable standards that can be incorporated into the site selection, design, and construction of a building.  By meeting these standards, along with a hefty fee, a building can achieve LEED certification.  However, LEED is not a requirement for buildings across most of the country.  Few major cities have adopted LEED standards, and even fewer rural areas have considered the system.  The point system is heavily criticized by many architects because they are not distributed fairly among the different requirements (water conservation and innovation are both given a maximum of 5 points, far lower than any other category).  In the end, due to the extra costs of certification and research hours to the Architecture firm, and the relayed costs to the client, many projects opt out of certification.  (some still meet many or most of the LEED standards without achieving LEED certification because the client decides against paying the excessive fees)

What is most interesting is that firms implementing these LEED standards for buildings operate without a required or voluntary set of standards for themselves...and of the many firms that I have visited and researched, this is of little or no concern.  As you might imagine, Architecture firms produce massive amounts of trash paper, most of which is 100 % recyclable.  I had to struggle to implement a recycling program at the previous firm I worked for.  I volunteered to collect and deliver the recycled paper, as long as everyone could manage to use the recycling bins that I placed throughout the firm (I rarely had collect and deliver as most people ignored the bins).  

If you are having a hard time believing that such a progressive field as Architecture is having sustainable practice difficulties, visit the brand new, temporary home for the University's College of Architecture in the old Hobby Lobby on Main Street.  All of that "trash" piled up is from only ONE semester, and much of it is cleared out on a weekly basis.  There are several recycling bins around the College, and they are almost always full, but they are emptied less often than the regular trash bins, and once the recycling bins are full, the excess paper can be found in the regular bins.

Could Architecture firms (and apparently the University's program) adopt a sustainable business attitude?  Absolutely.  Architecture is one of the most innovative fields in the world, we have just failed to innovate a reasonable and substantial way to be sustainable within the firm.  Should all new and remodeled buildings meet some sort of sustainable standard?  Again, yes, but is it reasonable for architects to bark about sustainable design when they lack the same principles?

Lead by example...