Most industries now recognize the importance of reducing their carbon footprint in the world and the field of architecture is no exception. Architects are responsible for designing architectural and structural elements of commercial and residential buildings. These buildings must be functional, economical, practical and safe.

Architects understand the significance of adopting sustainable building materials that will help buildings to reduce their carbon emissions. The American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.) has taken the step this year to enforce all its members to take four hours of continuing education classes in sustainable design every year until 2012.

On its website, the A.I.A. makes clear why implementing continuing education for all its members is so important: “The issue of climate change and the impact of building on carbon emissions created a new expectation among clients and the public to look to the expertise of architects for solutions that can help them leave a greener footprint,” it says. “The A.I.A. is responding to the growing demand for our members to assume greater leadership in addressing the challenges facing our planet.”

Members will take courses such as “Ground Source Heating & Cooling for Commercial & Residential Properties,” “How to Install – Successfully – New Wood Windows in Traditional Settings” and “Factory Preblended Mortar for Masonry Concrete.” The compulsory A.I.A. credits are part of an 18-hour yearly requisite that consists of courses in health, safety, and welfare.

Fredric M. Bell, the executive director of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, says that “Architects need to think holistically about water systems and air quality.” The continuing education courses will concentrate on looking at ways to use sustainable building materials to create a “greener” building.

These courses will be available at the A.I.A.’s national, regional and state conventions. There may be professionals from other building industries to teach the courses, such as mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and landscaping experts. The reason for this is because architects need to understand all persons and practices involved in the construction of a building.

There is also a stronger emphasis on architects to follow the life of their projects post-completion and observe how a building is being utilized by its tenants and evaluating the success of its sustainable features.