Architects assume a significant amount of responsibility when it comes to considering designs that will be successful for not just their clients, but any person who inhabits or is impacted by their spaces. Topics of sustainability, social inclusion, economic opportunities, and overall urban equity, have consistently been top of mind in recent years, ultimately creating a new holistic approach to designing for a better future, that many people are referring to as Environmental, Social, and Governance metrics, more commonly known as ESG.
ESG is a set of standards for how to measure the sustainability of something as it pertains to its impacts on our environment, society, and governance. Many people often pair this term with financial investment strategies, which give guidelines to investors based on how a company’s policies and initiatives respect the environment and society. But in design, ESG analysis and implementation involve careful partnerships that explore how buildings can achieve more than just monetary returns, and how to qualify and quantify the experiential aspect of design. Strategies that range from demolishing existing buildings in an environmentally friendly way, creating healthy outdoor spaces for users, engaging surrounding communities for their input on new developments, and ensuring labor standards are properly implemented on construction sites are just some of the ways that ESG principles are impacting the design industry.
