GREEN DESIGN begins early, in project planning and understanding project priorities. We believe architects and engineers should make a conscious effort to reduce the consumption of resources and minimize environmental pollution when planning and designing buildings and site improvements. This is an integral part of our design practice.
Sgarzi Associates is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and utilizes the LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) guidelines as a basis for testing design ideas and influencing design decisions. Among our strategies:
Maximize sustainable design with
early project planning:
- Building location and orientation
- Basic mechanical system selections
- Site use
- Preservation when practical and
possible within mission
- Life-cycle cost analyses
- Client, design and construction team
understandings for priorities, mandates and goals
Improve indoor environment quality
to improve health of occupants:
- Improve air quality with efficient natural ventilation
- Provide quality natural light
- Views of the exterior
- Well-functioning HVAC system
- User controls of thermal and lighting conditions
Use thoughtful material source selection
and construction control:
- Specify products that are from sustainable
and replenishable sources
- Avoid off-gas producing materials
- Use materials that do not require volatile
solutions or adhesives
- Require separation and recycling
of
construction waste
Seek opportunities that are cost effective
and offer payback over time:
- Using durable materials
- Efficient mechanical equipment
- Additional insulation
- Additional daylight to save electricity
- Minimize water usage in plumbing fixtures
