Sustainability in Action

We believe design excellence combines beauty, function, economy, and environmental performance. We start with an awareness of site and climate, look at energy and water use, and consider the consequences of materials choices on the health of occupants, the community, and the environment. Some call this approach sustainable design. We believe it is simply good design.

In the more than twenty-five years since its development, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system has helped transform building practice—not so much through the comparatively small number of buildings (less than 100,000)—that have achieved certification, but by shifting both design practice and the options offered by manufacturers supporting the construction industry. As with any green rating system, the goal is not just to certify that a particular building has earned the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval”, but rather, to bring about market transformation. Because of the existence of LEED and its use by universities, governments, and corporations on their flagship buildings, every homeowner in America can go to their local paint store and has the option of purchasing zero-VOC paint at affordable prices.

So LEED has in many ways succeeded in what it set out to do. And at EskewDumezRipple we use LEED as a discipline for design more than a rating system, and are pleased that 70% of our technical staff hold some form of LEED Accreditation. Over twenty of our projects have obtained or are pursuing LEED accreditation, totaling over 1 million square feet.

Our deep knowledge of certification systems enables us to smoothly manage the certification process from start to finish, directly engaging with clients, design teams, and consultants. But many institutions are moving beyond LEED as they strive to be at the forefront of making buildings that are better for their occupants and better for the planet. At EskewDumezRipple, we have experience with many of these systems, including ASHRAE 189.1, WELL Building certification, Fitwel, AIA COTE Top Ten, AIA 2030 Commitment, Living Building Challenge, Just certification, New Buildings Institute Net Zero certification, EnergyStar, Enterprise Green Communities (EGC), Zero Code, Passivehouse certification, and SITES.