Good Design Is
Sustainable Design
University of Illinois: Philanthropy Center | Champaign, IL
LEED Gold, Targeting WELL Platinum
Welcome
As architects, designers, and planners, we have a responsibility to make a positive impact on the world we inhabit. Engaging the human experience and fostering a healthier planet are our passion and purpose.
Our rapidly changing world presents both unprecedented challenges for our profession and singular opportunities for creative solutions. Last year was the warmest on record, with global average temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. While this breach does not mean the Paris Agreement goals are no longer attainable, it does reinforce the escalating risk of climate inaction. Last year also saw record CO2 emissions from fossil fuels—36.8 billion metric tons globally. The stakes are high.
Our 2025 State of Sustainability reflects our belief in transparency. It reports on our 2024 data and initiatives, highlights our efforts from the first half of 2025, and sets out our plans for the future. We share information about our carbon-neutral operations, inclusive practices, and growing number of net-zero-energy projects. We are proud of our achievements—including an AIA COTE Top Ten Award and Living Future Zero Energy Certification™ for John Lewis Elementary School this year—and recognize the magnitude of the work ahead.
Big challenges require big ideas. Our Human by Design ethos, putting people and planet first, runs deep in our culture, operations, and design work. It drives our belief that good design is sustainable design.
Let's create a better future together.
Nick Leahy
Co-CEO
Shawn Basler
Co-CEO
Andrew Adelhardt III
Co-CEO
Executive Summary
Our sustainability goals speak to our Human by Design ethos and encompass our firm’s social, economic, and environmental priorities.
Hover over each icon to learn about our goals.
CARBON
Where We Are
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Operationally carbon neutral through the purchasing of verified carbon offsets for our Scope 1 and 2 emissions
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59.91% predicted EUI reduction from Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) baseline
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98.8% of projects with energy models
Where We Are Headed
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Building a short- and long-term Low Carbon Transition Plan
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Setting office-specific carbon reduction goals in our new sustainable operations framework
CARBON
Goal
We strive to be a carbon-neutral firm—in both our operations and
our work with clients.
INCLUSION
Where We Are
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Obtained Just label for Perkins Eastman’s US offices
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Launched the Human by Design Exchange to share project stories that embody our ethos and champion sustainability
Where We Are Headed
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Growing our “Pathways to Equity” cohorts
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Continuing investment in studio cultures to support productive workplaces
INCLUSION AND BELONGING
Goal
We strive to correct the inequities
in our practice, our projects, and our communities, and to celebrate diversity and culture.
MATERIALS
Where We Are
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Participated in first industry-wide reporting cycle for AIA Materials Pledge
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Continued office-specific material health visioning sessions
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Updated firmwide criteria for materials specifications
Where We Are Headed
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Continuing to expand materials reporting on our projects
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Introducing education and guidance for our materials vision and action plan
Goal
We strive for the materials we use to have a net-positive benefit on human health, climate health, ecosystem health, social health, and equity, and to contribute to a circular economy.
MATERIALS
RESEARCH
Where We Are
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Launched our human-centered consulting team to focus on measuring and improving how our work supports the human experience
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Published 11 reports, focused on deepening our understanding of how the built environment can support wellness and garnering three research excellence certifications
Where We Are Headed
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Developing a standardized process to measure the impact of Human by Design on our projects
Goal
We strive to be curious—to use
applied research to enhance and advance our work.
RESEARCH
HOLISTIC WELLNESS
Where We Are
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Launched our human-centered consulting team to focus on measuring and improving how our work supports the human experience
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Published 11 reports, focused on deepening our understanding of how the built environment can support wellness and garnering three research excellence certifications
Where We Are Headed
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Developing a standardized process to measure the impact of Human by Design on our projectsellence certifications
Goal
We strive to approach wellness holistically—in terms of people
and the planet, and at all scales
of our work.
HOLISTIC WELLNESS
RESILIENCE
Where We Are
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Reinforcing walkable urbanism as inherent to improving livability and resiliency
Where We Are Headed
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Increasing our firmwide education tools for understanding resiliency
Goal
We strive to lead with passive design strategies, as this approach provides the key to reducing future climate emissions and improving livability and resiliency.
RESILIENCE
Sustainability—social, economic, and environmental—is a cornerstone of our Human by Design ethos. Sustainability is infused into our culture and supports our ability to make a positive impact on the well-being of people and the planet.
Reducing the carbon footprint of our operations is central to our mission. Equally important is supporting the health and wellness of our staff every day. The combination of these imperatives reflects our holistic approach to sustainability and resilience.
