Sustainable Design
Spencer Associates is diligent in the application of sustainable design in our projects. We are conscious of the need to build responsibly today so as not to compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Initially, our interest in sustainable design evolved through projects designed for our national parks. An early example was the inclusion of solar water heating for tents at the High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park, California. Currently, we are employing more advanced techniques for new construction projects for secondary schools in the Bay Area. Two notable examples include the new Music & Art Building and Biotechnology Building at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.
We routinely evaluate and employ building systems that maximize energy
performance, increase water efficiency, and provide thermally comfortable environments. With a
commitment to reaching the platinum LEED certification for all new buildings, we aim to:
- Respond sensibly to site conditions to optimize natural lighting and ventilation.
- Use regionally sensitive landscaping to avoid disruptionof local ecosystems.
- Select locally produced materials with high post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content.
- Provide electric and water efficient fixtures, appliances, and performance monitoring systems to ensure minimal energy expenditure.