Sustainability has been defined as "that which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"
UN World Commission on Environment and Development report
"Our Common Future," 1987
As world citizens, we are cognizant of our actions and efforts that affect our global environment. As architects, designers and planners, we understand that we have the responsibility as well as the opportunity to promote sustainability in construction. You can't pick up a newspaper, watch TV, or go on the internet without seeing something about Green Building.
It's an important topic because buildings have a huge impact on the environment. They tax our resources, they contribute to global warming, they are where we spend as much as 90% of our time. If we build our buildings green - we can have a huge impact.
WHY BUILD GREEN ??
Environmental benefits:
Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
Improve air and water quality
Reduce solid waste
Conserve natural resources
Economic benefits:
Reduce operating costs
Enhance asset value and profits
Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
Optimize life-cycle economic performance
Health and Community benefits:
Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments
Enhance occupant comfort and health
Minimize strain on local infrastructure
Contribute to overall quality of life
Our LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) can provide the following services:
Establish eligibility / preliminary assessment
Project registration
Comprehensive whole building design with integrated with sustainable design strategies
Identify sustainable methods and materials that best fit your project
Preparation / submittal of credit documentation and certification application
Evaluate and explain interpretation requests (CIR)
Submit credit or certification appeals
On the financial front you can't argue that green buildings aren't a smart financial decision. In terms of energy savings alone, they have a huge impact on the cost of running a building. And today, green buildings - LEED certified and silver buildings - can be built for not a penny more than conventional buildings on a first cost basis.
But there are so many other financial indicators that matter as well.
We're able to show now that productivity in green buildings is significantly higher, that it's a big recruiting perk, and that the health benefits also come into play in a big way. And productivity isn't just about making things better and faster - look at what we're seeing in schools, where the test scores are higher, in the hospitals where discharge can come sooner, in retail where sales are higher . . . . The impacts of green building on productivity are tremendous.
LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - is developed, maintained, and cerified by the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the leading green building rating system in the country. It's a roadmap for how buildings can be built to meet high performance standards so desired by tenants and owners alike. Scores are tallied for different aspects of efficiency and design in categories such as site planning, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials & resources, indoor environmental quality, and design innovations.
Straughn Trout Architects has taken the initiative towards sustainability and has acquired LEED Professional Accreditation. LEED Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the integrated design and LEED certification process. LEED Accredited Professionals have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes.
