Sustainable design begins with an understanding of the interrelationship of individuals, communities, the built environment, and the natural environment. This understanding helps direct strategic design solutions that efficiently promote comfortable and healthy individual and community experiences while minimizing ecological impact.

O`Brien/Atkins` commitment to sustainability ranges from structured approaches, such as positioning projects for the US Green Building Council`s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, to more informally educating clients on ways in which sustainable design strategies may contribute to achieving the team`s overall goals for the project. With over 20 LEED Accredited Professionals spanning all of our disciplines, O`Brien/Atkins boasts a powerful "Green Team" with the expertise to serve our clients well.

Our longstanding commitment to a collaborative design process makes it simple for O`Brien/Atkins to practice sustainable design. Our in-house team of architects, interior designers, landscape architects and planners, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers is able to meet frequently, early in the project planning phases.

This early interdisciplinary collaboration is key to creating cohesive, efficient designs.

Some examples of sustainable design strategies include:

Selecting a site that is optimal for development, while minimizing the built environment`s impact
Using native plants for shade, water retention, erosion control and aesthetic impact
Improving the energy performance of a building by siting it to increase daylighting and minimize power needs
Understanding power needs early enough in the design process to design to optimal energy loads
Incorporating lighting controls to save energy, for example: daylight harvesting, time clock and photocell controls, and occupancy sensors
Selecting furnishings and floorings with minimal "off-gas"
Providing workers access to individual task lighting controls and operable windows so people can use what they need
Designing buildings with an eye to low-impact future renovation or incorporation in a long-term expansion plan

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