It IS Easy Being "Green"!
San Diego, CA - April 7, 2008
SGPA ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING is the first design firm in San Diego County to be recognized for having met the required criteria of the San Diego Area Green Business Program.
"It is easy being "green" once you become aware of what needs to be done" said Marianne Bates, SGPA's Office Manager. "The San Diego Area Green Business Program provides businesses with a detailed checklist of ways to effectively reduce waste and increase recycled materials that are used throughout the office. Some items are as simple as replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Posting our utility usage in a graph was a way to show our staff that the small steps they are taking by turning out lights when leaving a room or taking advantage of the natural daylight in their space can make a huge difference in their contribution to the company's energy conservation goals. By applying the Green Business Program's suggestions to its everyday office routine, SGPA significantly reduces its office waste, improves recycling practices and gives employees a sense of pride in their accomplishments in helping the environment."
SGPA actively pursues opportunities to practice environmentally sustainable ("green") design. The firm is a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council and has several Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited design professionals in both their San Diego and San Francisco offices. The LEED program is the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system for environmentally sustainable building design. It defines and measures building performance in five environmental categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. The LEED AP credential ensures that the accredited professional has the expertise required to design a building to LEED standards and to coordinate the documentation process that is necessary for LEED certification of the building.
To become "green," SGPA had to meet specific program criteria in the areas of pollution prevention, waste reduction and energy & water conservation. SGPA is proud to demonstrate to the design industry that the firm and all its employees are committed to environmental responsibility on a daily basis, starting with its own business office and following through on its projects from design through construction and throughout each of its project's life cycle.
Established in 1969, SGPA ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING is an award-winning architecture and planning firm specializing in retail, mixed-use, educational and senior living projects throughout the western United States. SGPA holds offices in San Diego and San Francisco, with a staff including over 20 registered architects.
The San Diego Area Green Business Program, administered by the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, coordinates with the California Green Business Program network to promote consistent standards for "Greening" business practices throughout the state. If you are interested in joining the growing list of San Diego Area Green Business Program participants, you may contact them at www.sdgreenbiz.org.
