Five years ago, TowerPinkster officially signed the AIA 2030 Commitment, pledging to design carbon-neutral buildings. Today, we are proud to celebrate half a decade of consistently reporting our project data to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As we reflect on this milestone, our Building Science team remains driven by a clear mission: to guide sustainable design through insight, collaboration, and measurable impact. At the core of this mission, and our ongoing 2030 Commitment, is our dedication to measurable sustainability.

Looking at the Data

In our 2025 project reporting, we achieved an average energy reduction of 40% across our reported projects compared to the baseline. While the AIA data notes that the average energy use reduction over the past few years is around 50%, we recognize that progress is rarely a straight line. Right now, we are actively navigating the “messy middle” of progress.

Part of our commitment involves transparency, which means we are not afraid of reporting high-energy users. For example, in 2024, our portfolio-wide results were heavily influenced by several natatorium projects. These are inherently energy-intensive buildings, and our work focused on reducing energy use within those specific constraints, not entirely eliminating it. For us, measurable sustainability means acknowledging when “better” is the right outcome, even if “low” isn’t possible.

Moving Beyond the Single Metric

While tracking Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is critical, we acknowledge that it is just one metric we use on our projects. It does not fully capture other vital elements of a sustainable built environment, such as material health, embodied carbon, and electrification. Furthermore, we know that not every project is currently captured in our data. Measurable sustainability requires us to continually improve the rigor of our process, and we are working toward greater consistency in how we model, track, and verify performance across all projects.

Like all A/E firms, we find that tracking and reporting data requires significant effort, but we have learned an incredible amount over the years. Even though reporting can be arduous and tedious, it remains deeply important, which is why we continue finding new ways to integrate the AIA Commitment into our workflow. We have expanded our approach to better meet the needs of our design teams and uncover the most useful insights, ultimately enabling us to design the best building for our clients. Rather than relying on a single program, we’ve learned to grow with the tools that are available, utilizing platforms like cove.tool, Forma Carbon Insights, Trace 3D Plus, and DesignBuilder.

The True Value of the Feedback Loop

Ultimately, the greatest value of reporting is the feedback loop. Early modeling shifts conversations, empowering our teams to impact design decisions early. By modeling early and often, we can influence decisions when they matter most. This data creates crucial accountability with our clients and project teams. Measurement is not a final step; it is a design tool.

We are thrilled to see this approach paying off in recent high-performing projects:

• Kalamazoo Public Schools Maple Street Magnet School: Through innovative mechanical design, this project achieved an impressive 52% energy reduction compared to the baseline.
• Okemos Public Schools Kinawa Middle School:By implementing targeted energy savings methods, including ice storage for energy peak shaving, this facility achieved a 40% energy reduction and, as a bonus, will provide a rebate to the owner through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Looking Ahead

For TowerPinkster, measurable sustainability is not about achieving a single number. It is about building a culture where performance is visible, discussed, and improved over time. It requires transparency, iteration, and a willingness to learn from results that aren’t perfect.

Our vision is a built environment that humbly improves the world. As we celebrate five years of the AIA 2030 Commitment, we are energized to continue using expert analysis and holistic design to turn that vision into reality.