Beyond the Plaque
The Future of Sustainable Design May Simply Be Good Design
For years, sustainable design has been associated with certifications, scorecards, and checklists.
But architect Lee Davenport believes the profession’s greatest success will come when sustainability no longer needs its own name.
In conversation with Shive-Hattery President and CEO Jennifer Bennett, Davenport explores why the future of sustainability may simply be better design.
“The goal isn’t a plaque on the wall. The goal is creating buildings that continue to serve people, communities, and the environment for years to come.”
— Lee Davenport, Architect
What does sustainability really mean?
Jennifer Bennett: Lee, you’re known around Shive-Hattery as one of our sustainability experts. But you’ve also been known to incorporate sustainable practices into projects even when they’re not required by code or by the client. So let me start with a simple question:
What does sustainability really mean beyond the plaque? Beyond a certification?
Lee Davenport: To me, sustainable design means creating buildings that continue to serve people well for a long time, without harming the occupants, the surrounding environment, or the community.
Ultimately, the buildings we design should benefit people. They should function well, create healthier environments, and perform efficiently over time. That’s really just good design.
Is sustainability always more expensive?
Bennett: One thing we hear from owners is, “We don’t have the budget for sustainability.”
Sometimes they see it as an add-on. Other times it’s simply not on their radar.
What’s your advice?
Davenport: There are certainly sustainable strategies that involve additional upfront investment. But many don’t.
Often, the value comes from making thoughtful decisions early in the design process. For example, selecting durable materials, choosing efficient systems, or designing spaces that will perform better over time. Those decisions can improve building performance without necessarily pursuing formal certification.
Certification itself also has costs. There’s documentation, coordination, calculations, and verification. But many of the design principles behind those programs can still be incorporated into a project even if certification isn’t the right fit for the client.
“Many of the benefits of sustainable design don’t require a certification; they require thoughtful design.”
So, where does the conversation begin?
Jen: What I’m hearing is that there’s still tremendous value in walking through those ideas with clients, even if they never pursue certification.
Davenport: Exactly.
One of the things I appreciate about the LEED framework isn’t simply the certification.
It’s that it provides a roadmap for conversations that prompts us to ask questions owners may never think to ask.
- Who will use the building?
- How will it operate ten or twenty years from now?
- What challenges is the owner trying to solve?
Once those answers become clear, conversations about materials, energy use, maintenance, and indoor health become part of a larger discussion about designing a building that serves its purpose well.
“Sustainability becomes part of solving their problems and not a separate conversation.”
You don’t have to pursue every credit. The framework simply helps identify opportunities that make sense for a particular project and client.
Good Design Often Makes Good Business Sense
- Materials that require less maintenance
- More durable finishes
- Better indoor air quality
- Energy-efficient mechanical systems
- Flexible spaces that can adapt over time
Bennett: So, are certifications still worth pursuing?
Davenport: Absolutely. Certifications keep you honest.
They establish measurable goals and provide accountability. But there’s also no shame in incorporating sustainable ideas into projects that never receive certification.
If a design decision makes sense, improves the building, and benefits the client, it belongs in the project.
Building Better Designers
Bennett: We have a lot of interns and young professionals joining our firm.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to make a positive impact?
Davenport: Learn these principles.
Professional certifications are valuable because they give you structure and expose you to concepts you might not otherwise encounter. But there’s no substitute for working on real projects.
Learn how buildings come together. Learn from other disciplines. Learn how to have conversations with owners. The more familiar you become with these principles, the more naturally they’ll become part of your design process.
Eventually, you’re no longer asking whether a client can “afford sustainability.” You’re simply delivering the best solution for their project.
Looking Ahead
Bennett: You’ve been doing this work for decades. You’ve seen sustainability evolve from a niche conversation to something that’s become much more mainstream. Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?
Davenport: I’d probably tell myself that sustainability wasn’t just a trend or a box to check.
Early on, there was a perception that people pursued it because they had to, or that it was driven by regulations or certifications. Sometimes the goal was simply to do the minimum required.
Over time, I’ve come to believe that every step forward matters. Even small improvements make buildings more inviting, healthier, and simply better places for people.
The best part is that these ideas don’t limit creativity. They often make it better.
Maybe someday people won’t even recognize those decisions as “sustainable.” They’ll just recognize them as thoughtful design.
“Eventually, maybe it all just gets to be good design.”
