Architects Head Back to School

In news that may have architects across the country groaning, the American Institute of Architects has decided that all of its members take four hours of sustainable design courses each year as part of the green movement. The policy, which will last until 2012, is aimed to reorient architects at a time when environmentally friendly buildings are quickly becoming the standard.

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According to the AIA, the policy exists to make sure that its architects remain in the loop as the requirements of the profession change to fit the needs of a changing world. The AIA maintains that architects who can confidently construct an environmentally friendly building are in high demand, and that such a policy will ultimately benefit the health of the planet greatly.

A wide range of courses will be taught at the AIA’s national, regional, and state conventions, requiring architects to pay a registration fee in order to participate in the courses. Architects can also take courses with private instructors, although the fees vary widely and these instructors must be registered with the AIA.