Green Initiative Policy
The mission of SPS+ Architecture’s Go Green Initiative is to provide our staff and clients with the tools and training they need to create a conservation culture. Environmental stewardship is key to conserving and protecting our natural resources for future generations. It is no longer sufficient to simply reuse, reduce and recycle; we firmly believe that education is key and support sustainability.
Our Commitment
Our responsibility is to stay GREEN!n
o Generate less waste
o Reuse as much as possible, and recycle as a last resort o Educate the public and our community about eco-friendly options o Evaluate the environmental impact of our actions o Promote discussions and strategies that integrate environmental education into our projects and day-to-day activities |
How We Make a Difference
INTERNALLY:
Our firm's commitment to sustainability began well before the popularization of LEED®. As a result, our office building was designed from the start with sustainable materials and landscaping as well as a number of sustainable features including:
Our firm's commitment to sustainability began well before the popularization of LEED®. As a result, our office building was designed from the start with sustainable materials and landscaping as well as a number of sustainable features including:
o Rainwater harvesting
o Solar film to reduce heat gain o Zoned lighting and skylights to maximize daylighting o Outdoor air economizers o Operable windows |
With improvements in sustainable technology, we continue to undergo ongoing renovations to further reduce our impact on the environment. Recent improvements include:
o A high-efficiency water heater
o Low-flow plumbing fixtures o Compact fluorescent and LED lighting |
We emphasize the importance for all employees to take active steps in reducing waste on a day-to-day basis by:
o Turning off equipment that is not in use
o Producing double-sided documents o Participating in our "scrap paper" program by reusing single-sided documents o Choosing "green" products that utilize less packaging o Reusing ALL packaging that enters the office until it is no longer functional o Utilizing our recycle program properly and knowing what is accepted by our recycler o Shutting off water when not in use |
SUPPLY CHAIN:
Our specifications list sustainable requirements for our projects including materials, systems and construction waste. We review every submittal to ensure materials meet our standards.
OUTREACH:
We are active members and participants in several organizations devoted to sustainability:
o USGBC – Chapter members and Green Schools Committee
o Energy Star Portfolio Manager - We provide our clients with a benchmark of their building performance and assist them in tracking improvements. o Architecture 2030 Challenge – We are members of this non-profit organization established to rapidly transform the built environment from the major contributor of greenhouse gas emission to a central part of the solution to the climate and energy crisis. o Green Apple Day of Service – We actively participate at many different schools each year…join us!! o Client Education – We design for the maximum benefits of passive and active strategies on every project regardless of LEED® certification. We educate the client on the benefits of these strategies in the design process. |
Environmental Policy Statement
SPS+ Architects is committed to implementing efficient and sustainable architectural principles for all of our projects. Our “Green Initiative” is integral to our firm’s identity and is reflected in all of our actions. As members of the USGBC with four LEED® Accredited Professionals on staff and additional accredited resources available through our consultants, we implement passive and active green building strategies (i.e. building orientation; adaptive reuse; building massing; day lighting; energy efficiency; water efficiency; sustainable materials; and on-site renewable energy, such as passive solar, etc.) into the design of each building project.
Sustainability Metrics
SPS+ Architects has developed 5 key sustainability metrics to track as a team. We are currently building our committee internally to push forward these metrics as a team.
CARBON NEUTRALITY
Our specifications list sustainable requirements for our projects including materials, systems and construction waste. We review every submittal to ensure materials meet our standards.
GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY:
As we grow as a firm we have begun to track our greenhouse gas emissions as a team. Once our tracking is finalized we will publish our findings to show our progress over time. We are actively tracking to reduce emissions related to Air and Commuting travel by develop "Work From Home Standards" and "Carpooling Options". Below is a short roadmap of our our team plans to track this goal.
WASTE DIVERSION GOAL:
With our new Sustainability Committee, our team has begun to audit our waste internally. Our current goal is to decrease our by at least 10% every year by 2025. The current roadmap we are planning for our waste diversion goal is as follows:
WATER REDUCTION PLAN:
Our firm is looking to push forward a water reduction plan that includes:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Energy-Generation Mix
- Water Use
- Water Pollution
- Waste Generation
CARBON NEUTRALITY
Our specifications list sustainable requirements for our projects including materials, systems and construction waste. We review every submittal to ensure materials meet our standards.
GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY:
As we grow as a firm we have begun to track our greenhouse gas emissions as a team. Once our tracking is finalized we will publish our findings to show our progress over time. We are actively tracking to reduce emissions related to Air and Commuting travel by develop "Work From Home Standards" and "Carpooling Options". Below is a short roadmap of our our team plans to track this goal.
- Establish Clear Goals
- Make Sustainable Long-Term Changes
- Measure Your Progress
- Buy Renewable Energy and RECs
- Minimize Single-Use Plastics
- Reduce and Offset Your Travel Emissions
- Make Recycling the New Normal
- Optimize Your Heating and Cooling
- Create a Paper-Free Environment
- Offset Your Remaining Emissions
WASTE DIVERSION GOAL:
With our new Sustainability Committee, our team has begun to audit our waste internally. Our current goal is to decrease our by at least 10% every year by 2025. The current roadmap we are planning for our waste diversion goal is as follows:
- Conducting A Waste Audit
- Determine What We Are Going To Collect In Our Business Recycling Program
- Choosing Appropriate Recycling Bins
- Clear Graphics/Labeling Throughout Firm
- Waste Diversion Training With Staff
WATER REDUCTION PLAN:
Our firm is looking to push forward a water reduction plan that includes:
- Developing A Water Audit
- Purchasing Water Efficient Equipment
- Reduction Of Landscape Water Waste
- Employee Re-Usable Water Bottle Initiative