203 0 SU S TA I N AB LE ACTION P LA N JANUARY 2021
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1 COMMITMENT Eckenhoff Saunders is committed to the 2030 Challenge. We are built on the principle of client-centered design and are dedicated to innovative, collaborative solutions. The trust we have earned with our many long-term partners allows us to make enduring environmental improvements to their building portfolios. We endeavor to research targeted, sustainable design solutions to achieve critical 2030 objectives in harmony with the earth and our clients’ values.
GUARDIAN EQUIPMENT | LEED GOLD | CHICAGO, IL 2
2 EDUCATION Eckenhoff Saunders commits to empowering our teams with knowledge. We will invest more in our people and give them opportunities to re-think design strategies. Exposure to technological advancements and research will spark invigorating discussions, new ideas, and better projects. Diving deep into sustainability topics will refine our details and maintain the rigorous standards we have always applied. Current Actions: • Offer lunchtime educational opportunities • Provide professional development opportunities for employees to attend conferences and seminars • Maintain and encourage the use of the Mindful Materials system in our library Future Goals: • Provide every designer the opportunity and time to learn energy modeling design software • Schedule more lunchtime educational opportunities with a focus on sustainable design • Incentivize more staff to attain specialty LEED accreditation • Encourage peer learning by sharing knowledge from successful high-performance projects, focusing on how to translate concepts and systems to other projects • Engage in deeper conversations about the benefits of sustainable design with our clients SWEDISH AMERICAN CANCER CENTER | LEED SILVER | ROCKFORD, IL 3
3 DESIGN As members of the building industry, we are responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions. To improve our efforts towards a greener future, Eckenhoff Saunders commits to supporting an informed design process, one that examines the effect of early decisions on energy consumption and follows through with researched details. Good design is sustainable. Current Actions: • Align sustainable project goals with client values • Work with engineers to design high-efficiency MEP systems • Introduce sustainable material options to clients as a fresh choice among materials in their standards • Use energy modeling on select projects Future Goals: • Incorporate energy modeling on all new and major
renovation projects • Require teams to create an energy model iteration
that meets the 2030 target • Incorporate sustainable strategies in firmwide
specifications • Generate excitement about how we can be change makers by advocating for healthy buildings • Track firmwide progress on important metrics • Share stories of sustainability efforts that teach us lessons and celebrate success NATHAN HALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNEX | LEED GOLD | CHICAGO, IL 4
4 OPERATIONS Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the choices we make for our own space. When we recently moved into our new office, we seized the opportunity to improve our carbon footprint. The changes inspire us to remain on a mindful path of improvement.
Current Actions: • Leasing space in a LEED certified building • Providing more efficient workstations and multi-use spaces • Making use of meeting space and common areas • Occupancy sensors on lighting • Composting food and unrecyclable biodegradable waste • Providing reusable dishware and dishwasher • Requiring product reps to take back samples • Donating discontinued materials to ZeroLandfill for distribution to teachers, artists, and others • Using Mindful Materials labeling system to alert designers of sustainable choices • Office location accessible by public transportation • Zipcar corporate membership • Pre-tax benefits for public transportation
Future Goals: • Add dimming capability to lighting • Track energy use • Eliminate worst offender materials from the library • Allow flexibility to work from home more frequently • Encourage more human-powered transportation NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL CHILDCARE CENTER | LEED SILVER | CHICAGO, IL 5
We must all be environmentalists
By signing on to AIA’s 2030 Commitment, we pledge to reduce our buildings’ environmental impact. Measuring and sharing our data will help us increase our pace towards carbon neutrality. We are excited for the challenge and hope to make meaningful change.
Sustainable Projects: • Skokie Hospital Ambulatory Care Center NorthShore University Health System Skokie, IL | LEED Certified • Glenbrook Hospital Ambulatory Care Center NorthShore University Health System Glenview, IL | LEED Silver • Guardian Equipment | Chicago, IL | LEED Gold • Kellogg Cancer Center at Evanston Hospital NorthShore University Health System Evanston, IL | LEED Silver • Nathan Hale Elementary School Public Building Commission of Chicago Chicago, IL | LEED Gold • Museum of Broadcast Communications Chicago, IL | Designed for LEED Gold Certification • Northwestern Memorial Hospital Bernice E. Lavin Childhood Education Center Chicago, IL | LEED Silver • Southgate Market | Chicago, IL Designed for LEED Certification • Hyatt House West Loop | Chicago, IL Designed for LEED Certification • Academy for Global Citizenship | Chicago, IL Designed for Zero Energy Certification • SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center Rockford, IL | LEED Silver • One Uptown on the Circle | Normal, IL LEED Silver KELLOGG CANCER CENTER AT EVANSTON HOSPITAL | LEED SILVER | EVANSTON, IL 6
ACADEMY FOR GLOBAL CITZENSHIP | DESIGNED FOR ZERO ENERGY CERTIFICATION | CHICAGO, IL 7
One Prudential Plaza 130 East Randolph Suite 1850 Chicago, IL 60601 312.786.1204
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