World Architecture Day 2021
The first Monday in October is designated as World Architecture Day, occurring concurrently with UN World Habitat Day each year. This year's theme is "Clean environment for a healthy world."
Happy World Architecture Day! The theme of this year's holiday provides an opportunity for everyone who interacts with the built environment to reflect on the importance of keeping sustainability at the forefront of architecture and design.
October is World Architecture Month, and at the BSA, we're gearing up to celebrate for the whole month. Read on to discover ways you can participate, whether it's by engaging with us on social media, delving into our treasure trove of past exhibitions and content, or learning about upcoming events and programs.
Join the Conversation
This month, we want to hear from members of our community about why architecture is important to them! Connect with the BSA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by mentioning us in your posts and using the hashtags #BSAWAM21 and #WorldArchitectureMonth.
Firms: Share photos of your favorite recent projects, or tell us about how your work is contributing to building a healthy environment!
Professionals: Do you remember taking your first steps into the design world? Share your advice and words of wisdom for students interested in becoming an architect or designer, and we'll share them during our College Fair programs later this month!
Students: Why do you want to be an architect? Let us know and help inspire the BSA community!
Durable: The Digital Collection
Buildings that endure for generations sustain both human life and the planet. Explore our online exhibition and learn how the uses of four traditional architectural materials can have fascinating and drastically different impacts on our climate and world.
Mass Timber Accelerator
The City of Boston aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, and mass timber construction is a critical piece of getting to zero. To help explore the use of mass timber and how it can reduce building-related carbon emissions, the City is launching a technical assistance program!
Learn more and apply for the accelerator grant on our mass timber webpage.
Embodied Carbon 101
Embodied Carbon 101 is a 12-part program series that took place from June-August 2020, designed to give AEC professionals the knowledge they need to incorporate embodied carbon considerations into their work. Video recordings of all the sessions are available now. Learn more about EC101 and view more session recordings here.
Intersections: Equity, Environment + the City
Intersections is a multi-day symposium brought to you by BosNOMA and Women in Design on intersectional and participatory design processes in Boston. The symposium will take place from November 6-13. Learn more, view the full session schedule, and register on the Intersections webpage.
Award-Winning Projects
Sustainable Design Awards
The BSA Sustainable Design Awards honor projects that demonstrate the systematic integration of sustainability. 2020's winners include facilities of all types that achieved design excellence while contributing towards building a healthy environment. View project images below and learn more about winners here.
Daniels Building at One Spadina, designed by NADAAA with Adamson Associates Architects. Image courtesy Nic Lehoux.
Head Start Child and Family Center, designed by Maryann Thompson Architects. Image courtesy Chodos Inc.
King Open/Cambridge Street Upper Schools and Community Complex, designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects with Arrowstreet. Image courtesy Robert Benson.
New Science Center, designed by Payette. Image courtesy Chuck Choi.
Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, designed by Payette. Image courtesy Robert Benson.
Harleston Parker Medal
Established in memory of Boston architect J. Harleston Parker, this highest honor awarded by the BSA recognizes “the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument or structure within the City or Metropolitan Parks District limits" each year. Look through our gallery of winners and get inspired by Boston projects at the cutting-edge of sustainability and design.
2020 Winner: Dearborn STEM Academy designed by Jonathan Levi Architects for the City of Boston. Image courtesy Paul Warchol.
2019 Winner: The Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center (Hopkins Architects with Bruner/Cott). Image courtesy Nic Lehoux.
2018 Winner: Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (Payette). Image courtesy Warren Jagger.
2017 Winner: Boston Public Library, Johnson Building Transformation (William Rawn Associates, Architects). Image courtesy Bruce T. Martin.
Stay Involved
Knowledge Communities
BSA Knowledge Communities are member groups, networks and committees that are forums for discussion, new ideas, and professional growth.
Committee on the Environment (COTE)
Committee on Resilient Environments (CORE)
Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Boston
Sustainability Education Committee
