Better Together: Preserving Global Resources and Reducing Client Costs Through Integrated Project Design
July 1, 2008
In an age when global warming and rising energy costs pose a seemingly endless threat to the environment, sustainable design has made the switch from option to necessity. The footprint that the construction industry has stamped on the environment can’t be reversed, but it can be prevented from expanding any further. At NTD Architecture, we’re committed to ensuring that our designs are as environmentally friendly as they can be. In fact, our commitment to sustainable design is so strong that we take the extra steps to include it as a basic service.
NTD’s in-house engineers work seamlessly with our architectural teams in a collaborative, integrated process that allows the two disciplines to test and compare various design options using new, sustainable technologies to determine where additional energy savings can be made. Without a doubt, the close proximity and frequent interaction of the engineers and designers contribute greatly the success of the integrated process. Our system of checks and balances has proved to be highly beneficial to our clients, earning them up to $650,000 in incentive grants and saving them up to 40% on annual utility costs.
While many of NTD’s recent designs can serve as great examples of the effectiveness of our integrated services, two specific projects stand out as exceptional illustrations of how energy savings can be enhanced through collaborative design. Del Sur Elementary School of the Poway Unified School District has achieved an energy savings at 40.7% better than California’s Title 24 energy requirements, and Murrieta Mesa High School of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District will house high-occupancy buildings with energy savings reaching 40.57% above standard. Murrieta Mesa High School has also earned the maximum amount of incentive grants, receiving $150,000 from the Savings By Design program and $500,000 from the Collaborative for High Performance Schools.
The benefits of sustainable design are many, the most important being the preservation of our global resources and a healthier environment for everyone to live in. Less demand for utilities also means less wear and tear on the utility plants, decreased impact on the utility system, and fewer blackouts. Our clients don’t mind the incentive dollars and lower utility costs, either, which they can apply to more important things, like educational programs. And us? We continue to improve upon our sustainable design practices, most recently with the purchase of Green Building Studio, a web-based energy engineering analysis program to help us maximize the potentials of LEED daylighting, photovoltaics, wind energy, water resource conservation, natural ventilation, and carbon neutral design. We’re just happy to know that we’re helping to save the environment, one project at a time.
Publications
- NTD Architecture Acquires HBFL Architects, Strengthens Presence in California’s Central Coast July 26, 2010
- Murrieta Mesa High School, CASH School Profile January 2010 January 1, 2010
- Final Steel Beam on New San Bernardino Valley College Building Makes 260 Tons August 11, 2009
- Lancaster’s Newest Comprehensive High School Ready for Students August 11, 2009
- Construction Comes to a Close on Murrieta’s Newest High School July 29, 2009