The Texas Society of Architects (TxA), the Texas component of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), represents the interests of 7,000 architects. As part of that mission, TxA promotes public policies that further values of architects, including the need to build “green” buildings that are smart and sustainable, use less energy and water, and have reduced impact on the environment, both natural and manmade.

The International Code Council is responsible for developing new codes that govern the design and construction of buildings. A new code — the International Green Construction Code (aka the IGCC) — was proposed by the ICC to address how to build more sustainably and drafts of the IGCC were distributed to major components of the AIA, including TxA. ICC solicited their support for its dissemination and adoption.

DSGN Principal Robert Meckfessel chaired an effort by the TxA Sustainability Committee (SUSCOM) to analyze the new code, chapter by chapter, and recommend modifications to make it more usable, practical and adoptable by municipalities. After the IGCC was greatly revised and improved, Meckfessel led SUSCOM in preparation of a how-to “Road Map” for its implementation, that was widely distributed to architects, code officials, engineers, contractors and others in the building industry.