The Net-Zero Goal
To achieve sustainable design, all aspects of a project are consciously chosen to make the end product as ecologically friendly as possible. The American Institute of Architects has declared a goal of all new buildings being “Net-Zero” by 2030, meaning the energy used to operate each new building will be offset by the renewable energy created on the site or nearby.
California Building Standards
Over the last 20 years, the California Building Standards Commission has developed stronger requirements for building efficiency and sustainability. The current baseline doesn’t reach net zero, but standard requirements include a minimum level of insulation, solar panels, dual-glazed windows, and sealing of all joints and penetrations. A new version of the California Building Code (CBC) is enacted every three years and continues to become more stringent.
Passive Design
The Kastrop Group is experienced in passive building design methods that take advantage of natural renewable resources: sunlight, cooling breezes, super wall and roof insulation, and other methods that don’t require mechanical processes. Ask us about cost-effective options that would be a good fit for your project.
LEED Certification
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has a certification rating system called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which comes in 4 rankings: certified, silver, gold, and platinum. All LEED certifications must be independently verified by an accredited LEED professional, and the verification process adds cost because it must be done in tandem with design and construction.
Because California has stringent baseline environmental building codes, many new buildings and major remodels might qualify as LEED-certified or LEED-silver without too much additional effort, but the verification must be part of the project from the outset (you can’t obtain it retroactively). LEED-gold and platinum require deliberate consideration of design features, building systems, and materials selections that are higher quality than standard building methods.
There is a good overview of the LEED system on Wikipedia, or visit the USGBC website for more information. There are many other green building certification programs as well.
Whether you want to go net-zero and design to the latest standards in sustainable architecture, or simply make an effort to choose environmentally friendly methods where possible and within budget, there are many resources to provide guidance. At The Kastrop Group, we are committed to promoting green and sustainable architecture whenever possible.
The Kastrop Group is a certified member of the California Green Business Network, recognized through the San Mateo County green business / Eco100 sustainability program.
Download our Green Design Policy Includes our official Green Policy Statement.
Ready to start your project? Contact us for a free consultation.