B Corp
At CTA, we hold a clear vision of the company we aspire to be. We firmly believe that our success should not be achieved at the expense of people or the planet. To measure that, we have chosen the highest social and environmental criteria: become a certified B Corp and formalising our commitment to build a better, more sustainable business model. A model that holds us accountable for our social and environmental performance.
We are proud to be part of a community of companies that are using their businesses as forces for good.
Sustainability
Established in 1987, CTA Architects P.C. has held environmental sustainability as a core value and primary focus for how we practice architecture. In addition to our project goals, we are also committed to reducing our own operation’s environmental impact. This includes promoting the use of mass transportation, reducing the energy usage in our office, limiting the consumption of our resources, and promoting the development of our staff in terms of sustainable practices.
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In 2022, CTA made significant strides in formalizing our sustainability practices. These efforts included key initiatives such as hiring a dedicated Sustainability Coordinator, embracing the AIA 2030 Challenge, joining Pledge 1%, participating in a community solar program, upgrading our office lighting to energy-efficient LED lighting, implementing a composting system, donating office furniture to non-profit organizations, measuring our carbon emissions baseline, revising specification sections to meet environmentally-friendly standards, launching an office-wide sustainability newsletter, and creating internal resources to promote sustainable best practices among our employees.
While we take pride in the progress we've made over the past year, we recognize that there is still more work to be done. This document serves as a testament to our ongoing commitment to decarbonize our operations while prioritizing the health and well-being of our staff. We remain dedicated to continually improving our processes and fulfilling our sustainability commitments both in practice and in our designs.
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As of April 2022, CTA Architects P.C. (CTA) is a proud signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment. Our goal in joining the 2030 Commitment is to support the 2030 Challenge and transform the practice of architecture to value holistic, data-driven sustainable building performance. As part of our path to continuous improvement, we have developed a Sustainability Action Plan that encompasses both our firm's operations and design. This plan outlines our commitment and approach to sustainable design, and an actionable strategy for developing best practices, evaluating progress, and communicating our values to clients. Further, aligned with the 2030 Commitment, it is our goal to report a portfolio of projects to the AIA Design Data Exchange (DDx) annually to help the industry continually benchmark progress and identify areas of improvement.
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Seven of our staff are LEED Accredited Professionals or LEED Green Associates. We are experienced in designing to meet numerous standards, including LEED, Green Schools Guide, ENERGY STAR, and Indoor airPLUS—enabling an environmentally and socially responsible building practice that improves quality of life across our projects.
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CTA is working toward creating sustainable buildings by employing Passive House methodologies in New York State and the New York City metropolitan area. Our goal is to impact design and construction choices to transform how our industry thinks and works.
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CTA’s dedication to both green architecture and sustainable community development is demonstrated in our work and in our staff’s individual commitments to obtain certifications. Two of our Principals are Certified Passive House Designers. We are currently pursuing Passive House Certification on one of our projects, and it is our hope to build more in the future using the tools and frameworks developed by the international Passive House Standard and supported by the United Nations.
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APT’s mission is to advance appropriate traditional and new technologies to care for, protect, and promote the longevity of the built environment and to cultivate the exchange of knowledge throughout the international community. One of our partners is a Recognized Professional, Association for Preservation Technology International (APT)
Social Equity
We are committed to the hiring, retention, and promotion of racially and ethnically diverse employees. Our retention and promotion strategies are focused on providing a culture and work environment where all employees can be successful in their careers and be represented at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership. We encourage and celebrate the contributions of those who bring diverse experiences, views, and needs into the design process. Whenever possible we include MWBE subconsultants on our team of professionals.
We are committed to both minorities and women in our workforce, a commitment with results that we are extremely proud of and one that requires consistent effort to maintain and improve upon.
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CTA is proud to join Pledge 1%, a global movement creating new normal where companies of all sizes integrate giving back into their culture and values. Pledge 1% empowers companies to donate 1% of product, 1% of equity, 1% of profit or 1% of employee time to causes of their choice. CTA is excited to join Pledge 1%’s network of founders, entrepreneurs and companies around the globe that have committed to giving back.
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To support the progress of aspiring Black women architects and help narrow the racial disparities in the design industry, we’ve partnered with Fireclay Tile and the Architects Foundation to fund a Diversity Advancement Scholarship for Black women pursuing architecture school.
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Because Architecture shapes the world we all share and an inclusive industry helps build an inclusive world. CTA has a long working relationship with a number of not-for-profits doing excellent pertinent work.
Please also join us in supporting these organizations that are working to dismantle the deep systemic racism that exists in our culture:
Emergency Release Fund I Southern Poverty Law Center I Liberty Fund I Black Mamas Matter I NAACP Legal Defense Fund I Change NYPD I Equal Justice Initiative I National Bail Fund Network I Brooklyn Rescue Mission I The Okra Project I Campaign Zero I The Legal Aid Society I Sustainable Brooklyn: Rent Relief Fund I The Free Black Women's Library I CAMBA Food Pantries I Know Your Rights Camp
GIVING BACK
CTA is committed to making a positive impact on our communities by giving our time, product, and profit. Through annual financial donations and pro-bono work, we support organizations aligned with our mission and values. In 2023, we established the Volunteering Committee to formalize our dedication to building lasting relationships with local non-profit organizations and assisting them in fulfilling their missions. By leveraging our resources and expertise, we strive to be a catalyst for positive growth and change, creating a better future for our communities.
MENTORSHIPS
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CTA partnered with Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design to establish a mentorship program featuring an annual scenario-based design competition. In this program, students collaborate with CTA staff to develop innovative designs that best address the needs of a fictional client.
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The ACE Mentor Program is an afterschool initiative designed to attract high school students to careers in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering industries, including skilled trades. ACE consists of local affiliates, each with a board of directors, program leaders, and student teams led by volunteer mentors who are professionals from the build industry. In the 22-23 program year, CTA has three participants in the ACE Mentorship Program and looks forward to expanding this number and the potential of hosting our own team in the future.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
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CTA partnered with Materials for the Arts, New York City's leading creative reuse center, to sort and organize their donations. Through this collaboration, Materials for the Arts offers free materials to arts nonprofits, public schools, and City agencies, preventing valuable items from entering landfills and putting them into the hands of arts professionals, educators, and students across all five boroughs.
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As part of our volunteer group, CTA staff dedicated their time to support City Meals on Wheels, delivering meals and warm smiles to homebound elderly individuals in New York City. Through our collective efforts, CTA staff delivered over 200 meals to elderly New Yorkers, ensuring their nourishment and well-being over the holiday July 4th weekend.
CHARITIES
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In 2022, CTA participated in the New York Architects Regatta for the first time, supporting charitable initiatives focused on providing waterfront access and educational experiences. The Regatta, a longstanding event since 2001, brings together the architecture and design communities to compete and fundraise for nonprofit organizations that offer waterfront access and education to all New Yorkers. Over the years, the Regatta has achieved remarkable accomplishments, including advocating for laws to protect drinking water, enabling sailboats modifications for people with spinal cord injuries, providing sailing and science lessons for students, offering leadership training and scholarships to students in NYC, supporting the US Olympic Sailing team, and backing the representative of the US sailing team in the Paralympic Games.
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Since 2021, CTA has joined forces with Fireclay Tile and the Architects Foundation to establish a Diversity Advancement Scholarship to support aspiring Black women architects and promote diversity within the design industry. The scholarship will aid Black women pursuing architecture school, fostering progress and narrowing racial disparities in the field.
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SARA (Society of American Registered Architects)
Fireclay
STREB
Preservation League of NYS
Salvadori Center
Friends of Growing Up Green
Center for Safety & Change
Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts
SAAAI (South Asian American Association Inc)
St. Nick's Alliance
New Heights
Design Trust
Nyack Homeless Project
Hour Children
King Manor
RIP Medical Debt
Community Access
Historic Districts Council
Breaking Ground
Spring of Hope School