LEED is much more than a checklist for us. Early in design, we address issues of sustainability because green design is engrained in our firm’s culture and core values. All new structures in California are mandated to be Zero Net Energy by 2030. Buildings can achieve Net Zero Energy (NZE) performance by employing natural lighting and ventilation strategies, high performance envelopes, and highly efficient HVAC equipment and photovoltaic (PV) energy generation. We have completed two LEED Gold projects: La Jolla Country Day School Kindergarten Center (2009), and the Coronado Animal Care Facility (2010). LEED certification is pending for Camp Ronald McDonald. The Monarch School and Camp Cuyamaca are both LEED certified. These two Gold level certifications were achieved without PV use, but rather through common sense design, to receive innovative design credits. Our firm includes LEED Accredited Professionals who ascribe to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Online V.3 system to manage, coordinate, and track project certification and commissioning.
As a firm of LEED Accredited Professionals, we work to achieve optimum project solutions in the quality of spaces, durability of materials and systems, and reduction of water and energy consumption. We balance aesthetics, functionality, ease of maintenance, indestructability, and cost effectiveness throughout our design and construction process. We’re fond of saying, “Our buildings should solve problems, not create new ones!”
Coronado Animal Care Facility
LEED Gold
- New building is located within an existing neighborhood and similar density reduces the environmental impact.
- Facility’s reduced footprint increases the amount of open space on the site.
- Project reduces automobile use and promotes alternative modes of transportation; located near public transportation, including bus stops and the ferry.
- A certified cool roof is installed and all concrete hardscape; open grid pavers employ a qualifying solar reflectivity index to reduce the urban heat island effect.
- Water efficient landscaping and artificial turf is installed to reduce potable water consumption.
- The concrete block used to build the structure has a high percentage of recycled content; over 50% of all wood products used in the project are Forest Stewardship Council certified.
- Overall, the project reduces energy costs by 51.4%.
- Over 95% of the waste generated during construction was diverted from landfills.
- Water efficient landscaping was planted to reduce potable water consumption by 50%. Inside the building, the burden on municipal water supply was reduced by 40%.
- The project design focuses on daylighting the space with windows and skylights. The glazing also provides views to the outdoors from 90% of the regularly occupied indoor spaces.
- During construction, measures were taken to avoid erosion, sedimentation and dust.
Monarch School
LEED Certified
- Re-use and rehabilitation of an existing building within an existing neighborhood reduces the environmental impact.
- Use of low-emitting materials, ample use of natural light, recycled content, certified wood products, and construction waste recycling.
- A cool roof replaces the old roof structure and all hardscape incorporates a qualifying solar reflectivity index to reduce the urban heat island effect.
- Project reduces automobile use and promotes alternative modes of transportation; located near public transportation, including bus stops and the light rail system.
- Site design includes strategies to reduce the amount of storm water run-off and pollutants through pervious ground cover and infiltration systems.
- Water efficient landscaping and irrigation systems are installed to reduce potable water consumption.
- Ozone depletion is reduced via the use of zero CFC based refrigerants.