Sustaining Our Natural Roots, Forging a Greener Path
Importance of Sustainability in Our Work
In our design practice, sustainability is not a mere consideration but the foundation of our work. We believe that architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design are intrinsically linked and must work in harmony with nature. Our approach integrates regenerative design principles to create spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also ecologically responsible.
From the initial site analysis to the selection of materials, every decision is guided by the goal of minimizing environmental impact and maximizing long-term health and wellness. We strive to create buildings that reduce energy consumption, landscapes that restore local ecosystems, and interiors that promote human health through natural materials and ample daylight. This unified approach ensures that our projects contribute positively to the environment and the communities they serve, building a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
"Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction"
— Edward O. Wilson
Strategic Partnerships and Certification Control
Direct management of the certification process streamlines the path to accreditation. By understanding the requirements from the beginning and working closely with the certifying body, a company can avoid common pitfalls and delays. This proactive strategy simplifies a complex process, making it faster and more predictable. It also ensures the project's sustainability goals are integrated into every phase of development, from design to construction. In essence, this approach turns a potential bureaucratic hurdle into a smooth, well-managed process, maintaining control over the project's sustainability trajectory.
Integrated Design and Collaboration
The foundation of our sustainable design process is an integrated approach that brings together all key stakeholders from the very beginning. Our team of architects, interior designers, and landscape architects works closely with green building consultants and engineers. This early collaboration ensures that sustainability goals are woven into the project from the start, rather than being added as an afterthought.
Accreditation and Verification
A crucial part of our process is aiming for and securing third-party certifications. We primarily focus on:
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): We follow the comprehensive framework provided by LEED to design, construct, and operate high-performance green buildings. We work with our consultants to submit the necessary documentation and manage the review process for certification.
National Green Building Council (NGBC): We also leverage the NGBC's standards, particularly for residential projects, to ensure they meet rigorous criteria for sustainable and healthy homes. Our team is proficient in navigating their requirements and preparing projects for their verification process.
WELL Building Standard: This standard focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. It addresses factors like air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. We integrate WELL principles to create spaces that enhance human health and productivity, working with consultants to achieve certification.
Living Building Challenge (LBC): Considered one of the most rigorous sustainable building standards, LBC aims for projects to be "living" in a way that they are regenerative and have a positive impact. We pursue LBC certification for projects where the goal is to go beyond conventional green building and achieve a truly restorative design.
Passive House: This standard focuses on achieving extremely high levels of energy efficiency, reducing a building's ecological footprint. By employing principles like superior insulation, airtight construction, and heat recovery ventilation, we can dramatically lower energy consumption for heating and cooling, which can be verified through Passive House certification.
Green Globes: Green Globes is a flexible and user-friendly certification program for a wide range of building types. It provides a rating system that assesses a project's environmental impact across multiple areas, including energy, water, resources, and indoor environmental quality. We use Green Globes to streamline the certification process for projects with diverse needs.
By combining these three pillars—integrated design, strategic partnerships, and a focus on accreditation—we ensure that our projects are not only beautiful and functional, but also environmentally responsible and certified to the highest industry standards.
