Getting to Green
As sustainability has moved to the forefront of the international dialogue, “green” design has moved from a moral issue to an economic, political and market imperative. Sustainable design standards are no longer the exception, but rather an accepted and common part of the regulatory landscape. Designing and building smarter for long-term life-cycle costs are becoming necessary practices for public and private building owners; green products and services have proven their popularity in the marketplace.
The convergence of these trends demands not only a bigger picture vision but also an understanding of the role design can play in building a sustainable future. It also requires concrete skills like leading teams of interdisciplinary experts, creatively integrating innovative technologies, and quickly assessing the costs vs. benefits of continually evolving green design features.
We believe the concept of “place” is fundamental to a broader vision of a sustainable development. While it is widely cited that buildings are responsible for a large portion of total energy use, buildings by themselves are only part of the problem. The larger issues of public health, traffic congestion, and sustainable land use are inextricably linked to how buildings can be situated within the larger fabric and how they can work together to encourage people to gather and to walk. EE&K has the knowledge base, skills and vision needed to create buildings that minimize life-cycle costs, create healthy environments for their users, and are responsible to the environment.