Using the AIA Framework for Design Excellence as a starting point, we begin each project with an internal kick-off session to explore and set high-performance design goals. By the time we have our kick-off meeting with the client, we are prepared to demonstrate which sustainability goals should and can be achieved.
We identify key performance targets early and assign responsibilities for tracking them throughout design and construction. We integrate analysis into the design process from day one, using models to create a feedback loop between design studies and predicted performance outcomes.
MSR Design has received two prestigious national AIA COTE Top Ten Awards, one for RIDC’s Mill 19 development and one for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center. Each year, AIA recognizes ten innovative projects that integrate design excellence with environmental performance by meeting COTE’s rigorous criteria for ten measures, design for integration, equitable communities, ecosystems, water, economy, energy, well-being, resources, change, and discovery.
MSR Design has worked on 29 projects that have received LEED certifications, including a LEED Residential Single Family Homes v.4.1 Platinum certification for the first of the GAP School Page Street Houses and LEED-NC v.3 Platinum certifications for Olbrich Botanical Garden’s new Frautschi Family Learning Center and the Madison Municipal Building renovation, both projects for the City of Madison.
2027
MSR Design commits to credible achievements on all projects in all 10 measures from the AIA Framework for Design Excellence
2025
MSR Design sets goal for credible achievements on all projects in 7 of 10 measures from the AIA Framework for Design Excellence
2023
Mill 19 wins AIA COTE Top Ten Award
2023
MSR Design establishes goal for credible achievements on all projects in 5 of 10 measures from the AIA Framework for Design Excellence
2022
Simona Fischer named firm’s director of sustainable practice
2021
MSR Design’s 510 Marquette studio achieves LBC Petal certification
2021
MSR Design is first Minnesota architecture firm to attain a Just 2.0 label
2021
MSR Design is one of 13 firms to contribute to METROPOLIS Climate Toolkit for Interior Design
2021
MSR Design commits to Interior Design Pledge for Positive Impact
2019
Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center wins AIA COTE Top Ten Award
2018
MSR Design signs AIA Materials Pledge
2016
MSR Design adopts goal to achieve inspiring generative impacts across the board on every project by 2026
2011-2012
MSR Design signs onto and begins reporting for the AIA 2030 Commitment
2007
MSR Design is first Minnesota firm to commit to the 2030 Challenge
2006
Fayetteville Public Library is first LEED-registered project in Arkansas and MSR Design's first LEED-certified project
Recognizing that the architecture profession must evolve quickly to create a more sustainable building industry, we share our research and design innovations. Recent publicly available tools include:
