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Sustainability

Since our inception, RSA has been at the forefront of the sustainable design movement. We have LEED Certified and LEED compliant projects (meeting LEED requirements, but not certified) and several that we are working on. We routinely incorporate sustainable concepts whenever possible regardless of whether or not official certification is being pursued. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and with LEED Accredited Professionals on staff at RSA and at each of our key consulting firms, our team is well equipped to ensure that your project is as environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, healthy and cost-effective as possible.

Sustainable design measures employed by RSA on past projects include:

• Recycled content fly ash in concrete to minimize use of raw materials

• Recycled materials for interior finishes

• Reflective roofing systems

• Passive and active HVAC systems

• Cool roof to reduce heat island effect

• Use of concrete paving instead of asphalt to reduce heat island effect

• Native landscaping with minimal or no irrigation needs

• Locally produced materials

• Low flow water fixtures

• High efficiency HVAC systems

• Provisions for alternative fuel vehicles and mass transit

• Public education of sustainability measures used in buildings

• Green power

• Green housekeeping

• Basic and enhanced commissioning

• Reclaimed water for irrigation/flushing

• Daylighting

• Design innovations

There is a misconception that complicated, expensive technologies are required in order to be energy-efficient and environmental friendly, but in many cases, sustainable design simply means employing a very commonsensical, even low-tech approach to a building’s site positioning, materials selection, heating and cooling systems, and the like.

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