How has public awareness and acceptance of sustainable building designs and technologies changed since you began practicing architecture?
DA: When we both began practicing architecture, sustainable design (particularly energy-efficient design) was in hiding. The first wave of passive solar design, brought on by the oil crisis in the 70’s, was deemed fringe and ugly, and shunted to the sidelines. Most firms that practiced “sustainable design” did so just as a matter of good design principles, without talking about it much. When we started Arkin Tilt Architects in 1997 we were among a very few firms actively promoting their ability to do ecological design. Now nearly everyone is, because the public is demanding it, and our planet needs it. Suppliers, consultants, and the whole industry is headed this direction. Back then we had to scrounge for information and products, but today there are conferences and new technologies emerging constantly. TH: What’s the key to marketing green building so that it reaches a more mainstream audience? How would you suggest that the movement be branded so that it can be mentioned in the same
