DesignIntelligence Names Sustainability Role Models

Published July 07, 2009

Cradle-to-cradle design pioneer William McDonough, Rocky Mountain Institute Cofounder, Chairman and Chief Scientist Amory Lovins, U.S. President Barack Obama, global architectural firm HOK, Turner Construction Co. and modular carpet manufacturer Interface Inc. are among the role models named this year by the DesignIntelligence Sustainable Design Survey.

The bimonthly industry journal DesignIntelligence released the results this past week of its annual survey of architecture and design firms in the United States.

In addition to providing information on industry trends and practices, respondents named leaders in four categories as "role models of green and sustainable design."

By category, those named are:

The Top Five Individuals
1. William McDonough
2. Ed Mazria
3. Bob Berkebile
4. Amory Lovins
5. Barack Obama

The Top Five Firms
1. HOK
2. Perkins + Will
3. BNIM
4. Kieran Timberlake
5. (tie) Arup
5. (tie) Mithun
5. (tie) William McDonough + Partners

The Top Five Contractors
1. Turner Construction Co.
2. Skanska
3. (tie) Swinerton Inc.
3. (tie) Mortenson Construction
4. Beck

The Top Five Product Manufacturers
1. Interface Inc.
2. Herman Miller
3. Steelcase
4. Haworth
5. Shaw

The annual survey culls information about how well architects believe their firms are doing in terms of achieving higher levels of sustainable design; how their firms are faring in comparison to their peers; and popular ways that design leaders are changing their personal habits and practices in an effort to shrink their carbon footprint.

Architects' interest in sustainable design has not flagged, despite a tough economy that has left many projects in limbo, according to DesignIntelligence.

Most firms responding to the survey said a majority of their projects are environmentally responsible, the publication reported. Its annual survey can be purchased through the DesignIntelligence bookstore.

_{Image courtesy of DesignIntelligence.}

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