What to expect:

The COTE September Meeting will introduce the AIA Framework for Design Excellence as a practical tool for advancing more sustainable, resilient, equitable, and healthy design outcomes. The session will feature brief perspectives from Drew Lavine, Robert Fleming, and Jonathan Weiss, each sharing how the Framework can inform design thinking, project goals, and professional practice. Following the presentations, attendees will have time for questions, discussion, and reflection on how COTE and the broader design community can better use and improve the Framework in future work.

Speakers: Drew Lavine, AIA, LFA, LEED AP BD+C

Drew is a Partner at Re:Vision Architecture, where he leads the design of high-performance, sustainable projects, including Net-Zero Energy, Living Building Challenge, and Passive House buildings. A licensed architect with more than 20 years of experience, he combines technical expertise with a holistic approach to creating healthy, resilient, and inspiring places. Inspired by his Appalachian roots, architectural education at Virginia Tech, Drew is a passionate advocate for sustainable design and community impact, and a key driver to advance Re:Vision’s mission through socially and environmentally responsible practice, including maintaining the firm's B Corporation certification.

Robert Fleming, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA

Rob is the Director of Sustainability at FCA, an architecture and design firm based in Philadelphia, and is a Fellow at the Center for Environmental Buildings + Design at the University of Pennsylvania. In all his work, Rob strives to regenerate the natural world; advocate for social equity in the built environment; design beautiful spaces and places; and bring economic viability to all sustainability projects. He is currently finishing his 5th book: The Survivability Playbook: 100 Courageous Ideas to Save Humanity.

Jonathan Weiss, AIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP, Fitwel

Jonathan Weiss is a National Director of Sustainable Design in the Buildings group at Jacobs, supporting high-performance building projects around the world. He began his career as an architect and has spent his career focusing on how to implement sustainability principles to complex facilities, many of which are in the research and life sciences roles. For over ten years he taught a graduate course in sustainability in water at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design. He is a past chair and current active member of AIA Philadelphia COTE.

Agenda:

12:00 – 12:10 Greetings, sub-committee updates, new members introduction

12:10 – 12:40 30min intro to Framework of Design Excellence.10 minutes each for each speaker

12:40 – 12:50 10 minutes Q&A

12:50 – 1:10 20 minutes, on what can we do to improve the Framework.

1:10 – 1:25 15 minutes Open discussion

1:25 – 1:30 Closing thoughts