We are committed to sustainability in the built environment and, more broadly, to an environmental awareness in all that we do.  We are members of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and have applied their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system (LEED) across the full spectrum of our work. Multiple projects have been certified by the USGBC, and others now in design or construction, are registered for certification following their completion.

Whether or not LEED certification is a goal of our clients, sustainable and high-performance materials and building systems can be considered for every project.  In many cases significant savings can be quickly attained, and the ongoing operational and maintenance costs of the building — the legacy we leave for future owners and occupants – are greatly reduced.

The headquarters facility designed for Karges Faulconbridge, Inc. (KFI) is the first building in the state of Minnesota certified at the LEED Gold level. The case study co-published with the client and McGough Construction, the General Contractor, explains in detail the challenges, design strategies and outcomes of this very successful project.

The Polaris Design Center in Wyoming, Minnesota has received LEED NC Certification at the Silver Level. The project includes 140,000 square feet of office, training, lab and product development areas, all of which benefit from high-performance building systems, daylighting, low impact site development and storm water management techniques.

Current LEED registered projects include a major office and industrial expansion for Loram Inc. in Medina, Minnesota, the new United Family Practice Health Center in St. Paul, and North Country Senior Housing a new senior living and care facility for North Country Health Services and Ecumen in Bemidji, Minnesota. ment areas, all of which benefit from high-performance building systems, daylighting, low impact site development and storm water management techniques.