American Institute of Architects’ 2017 updates of contract documents provide detailed guidelines on how to devise and assign responsibility for sustainable elements of a construction project.
Key points of Document E204–2017 include:
- A requirement for the architect and owner to hold a sustainable design feature workshop
- Delineation of testing and implementation strategies to achieve sustainability goals
- Allocation of responsibility for sustainable measures
Other provisions address specific sustainable issues such as materials substitutions, construction waste management, registration with certifying authority, and achieving a sustainable objective at substantial and final completion. The overall sustainability plan is defined as a contract document.
Owners, architects, and contractors are expected to understand the sustainability plan and their responsibilities in performing measures that are assigned to them. The document states that the contractor does not guarantee achievement of the sustainable objective (such as LEED certification) but is responsible if the company fails to live up to its duties to perform sustainable measures assigned to it.
E204 is meant as an attachment to the owner-architect agreement, the owner-contractor agreement, and other project-related agreements as appropriate. This document replaces earlier documents D503–2011 and A141–2014 Exhibit C. The latter was meant specifically for design/build contracts. The new document addresses sustainability for projects of all types of delivery methods.
For more information, visit: www.aiacontracts.org.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2015
Virginia surpasses Florida for strictest hurricane building codes
Virginia has edged out Florida as the state with the most stringent hurricane building codes, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety’s “2015 Rating the States” report.
Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2015
Industry groups petition for change order reform on federal projects
Nine design and construction associations ask for assurance that funds available for additional work.
Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2015
DOE releases Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines
The guidelines are aimed at strengthening and streamlining commercial building workforce training and certification programs for workers in energy auditing, building commissioning, building operations, and energy management.
Green | Apr 3, 2015
Georgia may ban use of LEED on state buildings
Georgia's state legislature is considering a measure to require all state buildings to only use green building standards that permit the use of Georgia's lumber.
Codes and Standards | Mar 29, 2015
Elevator shafts a major source of heat loss in New York City
A typical New York apartment building loses thousands of dollars worth of energy every year from leaky elevator shafts that vent warm air at the top of the building and draw in cold air at the bottom, according to a new Urban Green Council report.
Green | Mar 22, 2015
6 myths holding back green building
Sustainable design has proven benefits, so why isn’t it more widely adopted?
Multifamily Housing | Mar 16, 2015
New Jersey Supreme Court puts control of affordable housing agency in the courts
The court said the state’s affordable housing agency had failed to do its job, and effectively transferred the agency's regulatory authority to lower courts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 16, 2015
San Jose adopts bird-friendly building standard
The standard includes avoiding large chunks of transparent or reflective glass and adding fritting.
Codes and Standards | Mar 12, 2015
Energy Trust of Oregon offers financial incentives for net-zero buildings
The organization is offering technical assistance along with financial benefits.
Codes and Standards | Mar 10, 2015
Real estate interests push Congress for Census funding
The groups have joined forces to urge Congress to fully fund the 2020 Census and the annual American Community Survey in its 2016 budget.
