AIA, International Code Council reach collaborative agreement on building codes

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and The International Code Council (ICC) have reached a formal agreement to collaborate across a wide range of initiatives including code development, compliance, sustainability, energy conservation, and increasing building code knowledge among architects.

Among the common objectives under the five-year pact:

Model Code Development: Form partnerships to cooperate in the development of the family of I-Codes.
Education and Training: Develop and provide access to educational courses and, working with industry partners, will promote focus on codes training.
Advocacy: Establish joint activities to develop and initiate advocacy campaigns for important issues relevant to architects and code officials.
Engaging member groups: Provide opportunities to connect internal member committees and working groups.
Communications: Communicate news and information that is relevant to both organizations’ members.
Digital Transformation: Provide resources that support information and technology initiatives focusing on the interface between architects, codes, code officials, and other industry professionals in the design and construction process.

"Our combined membership, consisting of practicing design professionals, code officials, and the building industry representatives, supports the development of codes and standards that protect the health, safety and welfare of the public at large,” said AIA CEO Robert Ivy, FAIA. “Through this significant agreement, both the AIA and the ICC agree to work more closely to achieve our common goals.”

New York City has two very large buildings dedicated to answering the 911 calls of its five boroughs. With more than 11 million emergency calls annually, it makes perfect sense. The second of these buildings, the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) is located on a nine-acre parcel of land in the Bronx. It’s an imposing 450,000 square-foot structure—a 240-foot-wide by 240-foot-tall cube. The gleaming aluminum cube risesthe equivalent of 24 stories from behind a grassy berm, projecting the unlikely impression that it might actually be floating. Like most visually striking structures, the building has drawn as much scorn as it has admiration.