SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Buildings fundamentally impact people's lives and the health of the planet. We have become increasingly aware of our limited natural resources of which buildings account for 40% of global consumption. In the past five years sustainable, or "green", design has gone from a fad to the new industry standard.

There is a widespread perception in the building industry that green buildings inevitably cost more. Although there may be slightly higher initial costs, sustainable buildings offer a better work environment, lower maintenance costs, and are more energy efficient. These efforts ultimately result in lower utility costs, freeing up budget dollars in the long-term.

CDPA is committed to sustainable design efforts and is an active member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). This non-profit organization developed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), one of the most successful third-party measuring tools for sustainable design. Many states and municipalities, including the federal government, have adopted this standard.

Sustainable design requires collaboration between the owner, designers, and contractors. CDPA is ready to be part of that equation.