Sustainable Architecture

Sustainable Architecture
Sustainable Architecture is defined as designing the built environment to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. We approach this ideal using four basic strategies with are: organic design, resource conservation, creating healthy indoor environments, and environmental responsibility. In order to be sustainable, the design must be organic, this is it must flow from the climate, the advantages and limitations of the site, and it must function to satisfy needs of the owners and users. Organic design uses sunlight and shade, wind and weather to the advantage of the owner.

Resource conservation is essential to sustainability and includes energy efficiency, water efficiency, recycling construction waste, minimum site destruction and using materials high in recycled content.

Healthy indoor environments are created by choosing systems and products that do not contain polluting, or irritating elements or products to which the client is allergic or sensitive. Products found in the natural environment are used wherever possible, providing fresh air, daylighting, views, and thermal comfort.

Being environmentally responsible minimizes the impact of construction on the environment by preserving or restoring the native vegetation, reducing runoff and erosion and the amount of land stripped. It also involves analyzing the environmental costs of materials and methods.

Overall, the initial cost of sustainable design is competitive (equal to or within 5%) with other good construction. When viewed from a life cycle cost perspective, sustainable design results in a considerable cost savings over standard construction. Most of our projects have resulted in a 40% to 50% reduction in operational energy costs over typical current construction methods. When viewed from a life cycle cost perspective, sustainable design results in a considerable cost savings over standard construction. Most of our projects have resulted in a 40% to 50% reduction in operational energy costs over typical current construction methods.

These fantastic programs provide a means of measuring and verifying the sustainability of building construction and have advanced building science and construction techniques. They have significantly reduced energy consumption and construction waste. While we fully support and actively participate in these programs we do not design sustainable building to garnish points, but rather design sustainable buildings because it is the right thing to do and generally score very high in any program.