Committee on the Environment (COTE)
COTE Booth at the Living Green Expo 
Tour of the Science House at the Science Museum of Minnesota 
COTE Booth at the AIA Minnesota Convention
Create.
Educate.
Evolve.
The AIA Minnesota Committee on the Environment (COTE) is committed to advancing ecological sustainability through the development and outreach of Sustainable Integrative Design© (SID). SID embraces living-systems thinking in an evolving pursuit to establish design and human civilization as beneficial contributors to the whole of life and the rest of nature. The three fundamental chambers of SID are Economics, Equity and Environment; all are grounded in the science of ecology and look to living systems and mature ecosystems for inspiration and guiding principles.
In our interconnected relationships with the earth and each other, we hope to define an ecologically infused, compassionate, and meaningful approach to design. COTE is open to non-architects, and we encourage collaboration between a wide range of knowledge, expertise, and skills.
Chair:
Doug Pierce, AIA, LEED APJess Roberts, Assoc. AIA
AIA Staff Liaison: Chris Hudson
Meeting Date: Bi-monthly on the third Tuesday, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the AIA Minnesota office
Committee Focus
In 2009, AIA Minnesota COTE pursued an evolving two-year initiative to define and develop the scope, definitions and process of the Sustainable Integrative Design (SID). The effort built on the pioneering work of others, such as the MTS Whole Systems Integrated Design Committee, the AIA Integrated Design Process (IDP), and the British Columbia Green Roundtable.
COTE engages local practitioners, experts, AIA members, and other thoughtful individuals and organizations to continuously improve and evolve our approach, and foster informed, fresh and engaging opportunities.
If you would like to join the AIA Minnesota COTE list serve, please contact Chris Hudson, AIA COTE staff liaison.
Create: Sustainable Integrative Design
In 2009, AIA Minnesota COTE will pursue an evolving two-year initiative to define and develop the scope, definitions and process of the Sustainable Integrative Design (SID). The effort will build on the pioneering work of others, such as the MTS Whole Systems Integrated Design Committee, the AIA Integrated Design Process (IDP), and the British Columbia Green Roundtable.
COTE will engage local practitioners, experts, AIA members, and other thoughtful individuals and organizations to continuously improve and evolve our approach, and foster informed, fresh and engaging opportunities.
Educate: Seminars and Presentations
AIA Minnesota COTE will continue to develop continuing education seminars for the AIA Minnesota Annual Convention and Exhibition, along with educational COTE meetings and events.
Evolve: Advocacy
AIA Minnesota COTE is in its seventh year of advocacy. We developed the AIA Minnesota Climate Change Position Statement in 2004 with the help of Fresh Energy, making AIA Minnesota the first AIA chapter to take an official position on global warming.
We have helped develop legislation in support of the AIA Minnesota Climate Change Position Statement such as the Minnesota Sustainable 2030 bill, which passed in 2008. Our members frequently testify at the State Legislature in support of climate change legislation, energy efficiency and natural resource stewardship.
Friends of COTE
1000 Friends of MN
http://www.1000fom.org
AIA MN Housing Advocacy
http://www.aia-mn.org
The Alliance for Sustainability
http://allianceforsustainability.com
Architecture for Humanity MN
http://www.afh-mn.org
Clean Water Action
http://cleanwateraction.org/mn
CSBR at U of MN
http://www.csbr.umn.edu
Dovetail Partners
http://www.dovetailinc.org
Green Institute
http://www.greeninstitute.org
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
http://www.ilsr.org
Fresh Energy
http://www.freshenergy.org
MN ASHRAE
http://www.mnashrae.org
MN OEA
http://www.moea.state.mn.us
Transit for Livable Communities
http://tlcminnesota.org
USGBC MN
http://www.usgbcmn.org