ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT – LEED ACCREDITATION & SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN (SAP)
The various environments in which SPG Architects’ projects are located requires a commitment to understanding how to employ material and energy resources to their maximum end use and efficiency in order to limit the impact of our built work on the environment, and an understanding of local climates is required in order to properly orient and situate projects in what are often unique and beautiful locations.
SPG’s projects use a range of alternative energy sources in lieu of carbon producing fossil fuels, including geo-thermal systems, solar energy, and hydropower. These alternative energy sources, used in combination with Low-E glass, the exploitation of daylight and natural ventilation, and the responsible use of building insulation greatly reduce the carbon footprint of our built work. Thoughtful use of material and equipment specifications, sensitivity to landforms and building exposures, the reclamation of rainwater, and the knowledgeable use of roofing systems all contribute to SPG’s approach to sustainability.
Healthy interiors are also a priority, and SPG specifies natural materials and finishes to create hypoallergenic and low-VOC environments. The connection of interiors to the natural environment, whether landscape or sky, is of critical importance to our work, and broad expanses of well-considered and judiciously located windows and skylights create the connection to nature that people yearn. Additionally, interior and exterior spaces are woven together so that a sense of spatial expansiveness is achieved.
Together with the engaged interest of our clients and contractors, SPG is unwavering in our commitment to high standards of environmental consciousness and resilient design, for both individual buildings and our communities. The company maintains affiliations with a variety of socially and environmentally responsible organizations, and Eric Gartner maintains LEED accreditation, reflecting our commitment to energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive design.
As part of the firm’s AIA 2030 Commitment, SPG Architects has also developed a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). The SAP serves as a framework for quantifying carbon reduction goals and for making environmentally sound material choices, using clean energy, and maximizing the efficiency of building systems as is appropriate to local environments and microclimates. It reinforces our commitment to resilient, low-impact design and provides a clear roadmap for integrating sustainable practices across all of our projects.