Sustainable Design and the Future of the Built Environment—GRLA's Commitment to Carbon Neutral Design 

GRLA is committed to do our part in the design of the built environment to reduce green-house gas emissions and to move to a carbon neutral future to ensure that our children’s children have a world that continues to provide for them.

Buildings generate nearly 40% of the annual global greenhouse gas emissions. The global building stock is set to double in area by 2060, concentrated in urban areas. This approximately 2.48 TRILLION SF of new space must be designed to meet zero-net-carbon standards in order to have a positive effect on reduction of our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

Since our founding in 1976, GRLA has been focused on sustainability and climate responsive design strategies. Some of our earliest projects were active and passive solar homes – at a time when solar PV was running about $78 per watt versus 40 cents today! Today our commitment to sustainable design is stronger than ever and we have signed the AIA 2030 Commitment challenging all new buildings to be carbon-neutral by 2030. 

We are LEED certified designers, members of the United States Green Building Council, and have completed many LEED rated buildings. We have also presented at numerous conferences to further the cause of sustainable design and climate reality design responses. 

As part of ongoing efforts to mobilize locally, GRLA is pleased to offer group presentations on the topic of climate reality. GRLA Co-Founder and Principal, Scott Richardson has been trained by the Climate Reality Project, led by Al Gore, to be a Climate Reality Ambassador. Scott can deliver an informative, interactive presentation to any group interested in learning more about the challenges we face, and more importantly, the solutions we can all be a part of now.

key sustainable projects

GRLA NET-ZERO DESIGN GUIDELINES

The following is our set of net-zero building design guidelines that we use to achieve zero-net-carbon standards – we look forward to working with you to design your next net-zero building.

 

SITE PLANNING

  • Responsive site design and building orientation to maximize solar gain, leverage prevailing winds for natural ventilation and minimize impact on the site

  • Minimize footprint of building by building more floors as possible

  • Minimize pavement and use light colored paving materials

  • Investigate underground or under building parking

  • Provide for electric car charging and bicycle parking and storage

  • For site drainage and retention incorporate rain gardens and natural swales

  • Re-use of site retention water for irrigation or cooling system water

  • Minimize landscaping and incorporate local and drought tolerant plantings

  • Dark sky compliant site lighting using only LED fixtures

  • Designate area for ground mounted solar array  

BUILDING ENCLOSURE

  • High performance building envelope systems – above current energy code requirements

  • Minimize use of concrete and steel

  • Consider cross laminated timber construction systems

  • Minimum insulation ratings: R20+ for slabs; R50+ for walls; R60+ for roofs; R5+ for windows/doors (U= .2 max)

  • Maximize glazing based on orientation and provide shading devices based on solar angles for each elevation

  • Minimize glazing and openings on the north side of the building

  • Double glazing as a minimum – triple glazing for north facing windows – all fully thermally broken construction

  • Design for natural ventilation and taking advantage of prevailing winds

  • Design for maximum daylighting and incorporate shading devices

  • Roof designed to support solar panels

  • Green roof – planted with local grasses and sedum

  • Blue roof – provide for retention of water

  • Building Envelope Commissioning to ensure proper installation of all components

  • Sealing of all construction intersections at wall, floor, and roof on the interior

  • Sealing of all penetrations of vapor barriers on the exterior

  • Water Testing of windows and doors

  • Blower Door Testing to confirm performance of the envelope

MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS

  • All electric heating and cooling systems

  • Ground water heat pump systems to be considered

  • Heat Recovery system required

  • Integrated BMS control system for optimum performance and monitoring of systems

  • Water heating via solar or electric heat pump system

  • Low flow plumbing fixtures

  • Commissioning of all MEP systems to ensure proper installation and operation of all systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

  • All LED lighting systems - no exceptions

  • Install daylight sensors and occupancy sensors to optimize performance

  • Smart lighting control systems

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

  • Provide for active solar installations – whether ground mounted or roof mounted

  • Provide structure and conduit for future installations if not part of initial construction

  • Investigate option for wind turbine installation

How can we help you?
Please contact us to discuss your sustainable design needs.