Sustainability
Architects are uniquely positioned to lead design teams in delivering sustainable buildings and communities “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (the definition of 'sustainable development' by the United Nations Brundtland Commission, 1987). This is due to their comprehensive skill set, holistic and interdisciplinary perspective, facility in communication to translate their client’s vision into design solutions, their role in the design and construction process, and their commitment to continuous professional development.
Sustainable design
Architects can advise on how to optimise the potential sustainability of a project by advising on such features as site orientation, building fabric, lifecycle costs, and predicted energy and water consumption. By focusing on effective and appropriate design responses, an Architect can help minimise the material and energy required in the construction and operation of new and existing buildings.
Specialist services
Architects can provide a range of specialist environmental services and the online RIAI Practice Directory provides a search tool to source these skills. Some of the sustainability skills currently listed include BER’s (Domestic and Non-Domestic), BREEAM/LEED Consultancy, and Commercial and Domestic Energy Retrofit.
RIAI Environmental Accreditation
The RIAI has provided Environmental Accreditation to Members since 2012. This accreditation acknowledges the increasingly sophisticated levels of ability aquired by our Members in the area of sustainable design. RIAI Environmental Accreditation is open to Members who have either completed the new RIAI Environmental Induction Course (EIC), or earlier iteration, or through recognition of prior learning from third-level education focusing on environmental design and sustainability.
RIAI Environmental Induction Course (EIC)
In March 2025, the RIAI launched a new Environmental Induction Course (EIC) leading to RIAI Environmental Accreditation. The course is open to RIAI Registered Architect Members and RIAI Architectural Technologist Members enabling them to take a responsible approach towards sustainable design and to better respond to the climate emergency.
Driving Standards
The Institute provides leadership through the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge, a voluntary initiative which is driving standards to lower the embodied energy of construction materials, the operational energy and water use of buildings, and to provide healthier interiors. These goals will help deliver to the standards required to meet the science-based targets for reduced global emissions.
Talk to your Architect about how to implement the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge goals within your project. You could also discuss how to integrate a Post-Occupancy Evaluation into the schedule of services provided. Further information is outlined in Working with an Architect - Edition 2.
Find out more about the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge in the documents below.
RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge
