Green and Sustainable Architecture


What is Green Architecture?

How do architects figure into this?

How is this applied in practice?

What is the process?

Ready to start?

Green and sustainable projects that we have worked on...


An interactive look at what strategies could be used in your project...




What is Green Architecture?

You have probably heard the terms green or sustainable used to describe different products or ideas. They are buzzwords that have recently gained a great deal of popularity in our society through exposure in the print and broadcast media. These concepts also can have a profound effect on architecture and the built environment.

The construction of any building, no matter how environmentally sensitive, always has some degree of negative impact on the environment. The goal with sustainable architecture is to try and minimize that impact. There are many strategies that can be employed during the design and construction process to achieve this. These strategies range from the overall design of the building, to individual product selections, to how the building is constructed.

A building that has a neutral impact on its surroundings would be a major achievement. However, taking it a step further to the point where a building is physically good for the environment is the ultimate goal. Though this can be achieved on small scale issues, overall these ideas are still a ways off, but they may become mainstream with advances in design and construction practices. Our focus, as these technologies develop, is to try and minimize the negative impacts as much as possible.


How do architects figure into this?

Most architects have some basic training from their architectural education on topics that have strong links to energy efficient and responsible building. Even though school projects may have used many of these ideas, much of this training never made it to everyday practice in the real world. Recently, these topics have been expanded in the school curriculums, and are being taught with a new vigor.

In addition, architects in real world practice have become more aware of sustainable building through many different organizations such as the American Institute of Architects, the United States Green Building Council, and Green Globes USA. A major amount of focus is also very apparent in the periodicals and other resources of the profession. This exposure over the past few years has made architects more informed, and consequently well suited to help their clients explore sustainable building.


How is this applied in practice?

It is our philosophy that true sustainable building is more than cobbling together a few selected green products into a structure. Many manufacturers are trying to market themselves as producers of green friendly products. While this intention is commendable, from experience we have found that the definition of a green product is subject to a lot of interpretation. Products that meet some of the tenets on certain categories are far from meeting others - and are often contradictory.

You will find many companies claiming to be green, but it is important to understand that it is more than a few product selections to make a sustainable building. Though there are definite benefits and merits to taking the small steps of using better products, it is important to realize that sustainable architecture truly is a holistic approach to the entire design and construction process. This means that you need a trained specialist that can help formulate your approach of how to construct your project.


What is the process?

The first step is talking to us regarding what your goals are for your project. If the main focus is to utilize sustainable design practices, then the process is centered around analyzing the project parameters and developing a customized strategy on what issues are to be addressed. Once those issues are determined, then a detailed approach can be formulated on how to work towards the established goals.

If your goal is to utilize sustainable design practices and to obtain a third party certification from the United States Green Building Council LEED program, or another certification from another organization, then the process outlined above needs to be coordinated with the requirements of the certification agency. There are many aspects that need to be reviewed and coordinated to attain the credits necessary to be certified.


Ready to start?

Contact us if you are interested in doing this for your own project. Starting the process early will allow time to look at the many options you will have and determine how you implement those for your building.


Green and sustainable projects that we have worked on...

An extensive addition and renovation to an existing ranch home to create additional space, entertaining areas, and implement solar heating strategies.
Click here to view that project.

The shell of an existing fire damaged home that stood vacant for over 50 years was to be redesigned as a new green and sustainable home.
Click here to view that project.