SUSTAINABILITY
Building lightly upon the land has made its way into the mainstream of facility design.
Incorporating the environment into today’s design solutions renders positive and lasting effects.
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Availability of Labor and Building Materials
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Proximity of Fresh Water
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Prevailing Winds
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Sunlight Exposure
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Rainfall Levels
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Climate Extremes
We apply sustainable design principles to:
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Minimize Site Impact
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Reduce Energy Needs
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Create Superior Internal Environments
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
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Most Building Materials and Equipment Now Have Assigned LEED Values
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Lowers Operational and Maintenance Expenses
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We are LEED Accredited Professionals
Sustainability Design Elements:
Site
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Building placement and orientation
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Native/drought resistant plantings
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Minimal site development
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Permeable surfaces where practical
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Bio-swales
Energy
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Efficient building systems
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Occupancy and daylight sensors
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Adjustable skylights
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Programmable temperature controls
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Photovoltaic arrays
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Solar hot water panels
Built Environment
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Natural day lighting
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Passive solar configuration
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Sun shading devices
Water
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Automatic plumbing valves
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Tank-less water heaters
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Low flow fixtures
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Rainwater collection/cisterns
Materials
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Green or ‘vegetated' roof
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Eco-friendly building materials, i.e. carpets, paints
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Locally sourced construction materials
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
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Utilizes stabilized heat absorbed by the ground
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Up to 600% more efficient than traditional air source units
Sustainability Experience
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Dixon PSD 170
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Glencoe SD 35
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Ottawa ESD 141
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Rochelle CSD 231
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Skokie SD 73.5