Mission & History

The Jordan Institute’s mission is to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in buildings. Responding to the threat of climate change to both human and ecological health, the Jordan Institute aims to transform the way buildings are designed, built, renovated, and operated. It envisions a region in which high performance buildings – resource efficient, comfortable, durable, and healthy – are the norm, both in new and existing structures. The organization implements its mission through high performance building consultation, comprehensive project management for major energy efficiency projects, training of professionals in the building design and construction field, and energy related state policy design and implementation.

High Performance Building, Portsmouth Public Library, LEED Silver

Jordan was founded in 1995 through an initial bequest provided by Doyle E. and Lenore M. Jordan, who had a keen interest in funding research and policy initiatives that explored the link between our environment and public health. The Jordan Institute programs over the years have all been based on that general principle. Past efforts include:

• The New Hampshire Comparative Risk Project, which identified and prioritized the ecological and public health threats to New Hampshire's quality of life. This was accomplished via a consensus-based process which included over fifty individuals. Please contact the Jordan Institute for a copy of the final report.
• The New Hampshire Minimum Impact Development Partnership (MID), which defined principles and practices for the sustainable design, construction, and operation/maintenance of buildings and grounds. MID set the stage for Jordan’s current High Performance Buildings Programs.
• Integrated Design / Integrated Development or IDID, an alliance of architects, developers, landscape architects, and similar professionals that organizes an annual conference.
• The NH Partnership for High Performance Schools, a collaborative effort to improve the economics, health, and environment of school buildings that has recently begun to focus primarily on energy efficiency.
• Municipal planning assistance to encourage greater protection of natural resources through regulatory measures and voluntary practices. This work is now in the hands of the conservation department at New Hampshire Audubon.

The Jordan Institute’s current mission evolved in 2007 in response to the extraordinary challenge of climate change, with its current and potentially devastating impact on both the environment and public health. Our current focus of mission honors Doyle and Lenore Jordan’s long term vision for the organization.