Sustainable design is a way of thinking about how buildings are designed and operated in conjunction with improving the quality of life through architecture and design. Meredith College, pictured above, is one project for which HADP is currently obtaining LEED certification.
The Principals of HADP Architecture are all LEED accredited professional because of our awareness of the importance of leadership through energy and environmental design (LEED). We promote LEED awareness and accreditation among all our employees. HADP Architecture is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and we support the energy and environmental conservation objectives of other similar organizations.
The need to consider and respond to the impact of construction and operations of our buildings is abundantly clear. According to U.S. Green Building Council data:
Buildings annually consume more that 30% of the total energy and more than 60% of the electricity used solely to flush toilets. A typical North American commercial construction project generates up to 2.5 pounds of solid waste per square foot of completed floor space.
Green building practices can substantially reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts and improve existing unsustainable design, construction and operational practices. As an added benefit, green design measures reduce operating costs, enhance building marketability, increase worker productivity, and reduce potential liability resulting from indoor air quality problems.
Green design has environmental, economic and social elements that benefit all building stakeholders, including owners, occupants and the general public.
HADP Architecture works within a wide range of criteria in our continuous efforts to design our buildings in a responsible manner. Some clients seek formal LEED certification for projects while others may desire that projects are designed according to LEED standards because it just makes sense from the standpoint of economics and environmental sensitivity. As a reflection of our belief in sustainable design, all of our projects are viewed with basic considerations including the following:
- Protect or restore habitat
- Storm water design
- Heat island effect
- Light pollution reduction
- Water efficient landscaping
- Water use reduction
- Refrigerant management
- Optimize energy performance
- Construction waste management
- Recycled content
- Regional materials
- Rapidly renewable materials
- Certified wood
- Minimum IAQ performance
- Low-emitting materials
- Controllability of systems
- Thermal comfort
- Daylight and views
- Innovation in design
