Aim Low, Build High-Performance
Building to Net Zero
There is no one-size-fits-all process to achieve net zero. Our team creates a strategy for every project to cut embodied and operational carbon emissions across the full lifecycle of a building.
For over 50 years, we have successfully guided thousands of project teams to meet their goals when there is no standard solution. Our team provides the deep technical knowledge needed to help you design, construct, retrofit, and maintain high-performance buildings, on-time and on-budget.
Building Electrification
One of the main drivers for achieving building decarbonization is electrification. As municipalities and utilities begin offering incentives – and in some cases, mandating all-electric buildings – it is important to design and construct a system that fits your building’s needs. Our team can help your building go all-electric and connect you with the latest incentives and technologies.
Our Services
- Perform preliminary embodied carbon analysis and compare structural and enclosure design components to benchmarked carbon intensity (bECI) data.
- Summarize findings in project-specific Hotspot Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report.
- Review project-specific approach with project team, including specifying, modeling, and procuring low-carbon materials.
- Provide material-specific carbon intensity (mECIb) ranges based on industry baselines (bECIb) for concrete, steel, timber, metal framing, glazing, gypsum board, insulation, carpet, and ceiling tiles.
- Create LCA baseline using established values from industry-wide and regional Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
- Create LCA design using plans and specifications from 100% Construction Documents and update LCA model in each design phase based on any updates made to building materials and construction methodologies.
- Quantify embodied carbon in specified materials.
- Compare to industry standard materials.
- Facilitate discussions between material supplier, contractor, and architect.
- Assess carbon avoided by retrofitting and reusing an existing building vs. new construction in schematic design phase.
- Provide material selection recommendations based on mECIb and bECIb during design development.
- Assess embodied carbon impact of new materials and report on payback period of embodied emissions from annual operational savings.
- Establish goals for net zero performance; capture additional priorities for health, accessibility, and energy monitoring; and explore certification and incentive programs.
- Early design modeling and net zero calculations to analyze orientation and siting, as well as building envelope, heating, cooling, ventilation, and DHW systems.
- Renewable energy options: Solar and on-site generation feasibility.
- Set EUI targets for the building’s major end uses.
- Modeling and analysis: Energy modeling; solar design support; life cycle analysis.
- Design consulting including plan reviews and mark-ups for base building systems, envelope, renewable energy, and options for smart building controls.
- Review of grid integration and responsiveness.
- Contractor submittal review.
- Visual inspections during all phases of construction.
- Commissioning of base building systems, envelope, and renewable energy systems.
- Whole building infiltration testing.
- Energy management consulting: Monitoring and analysis, benchmarking, energy auditing, and retro-commissioning.
- Occupant education.
- Operations and maintenance training.