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Sustainability is one of the core principals of WDA’s planning and design work. Sustainability, low impact development and LEED certification all represent the growing understanding of the needs of the natural and human environments. WDA embraces the principals of sustainability and low impact development during the design process. Sustainable Design Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. This involves meeting our present needs without endangering the welfare of future generations and of the environment. Low Impact Development Low Impact Development, otherwise known as LID, is a design strategy with the goal of reducing the overall development impacts on water resources and surrounding infrastructure. LID attempts to mimic the site’s pre-development hydrology by using techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate and detain runoff close to the source. Instead of relying on large and costly end-of-pipe treatment facilities for stormwater, LID instead relies on small, cost-effective landscape features located at the origin of the runoff. These features can be as simple as a small rain garden that infiltrates rooftop runoff or the use of native plantings and low water use landscapes to reduce overall water use. Other techniques can include bio-retention basins, engineered wetland areas, dry wells, and underground infiltration facilities, along with a number of other design methods. All of these techniques help to replicate the pre-existing hydrology of the site and can reduce the costs associated with more traditional stormwater management systems. In addition to new developments, LID strategies can be used for redevelopment projects. By retrofitting previously impervious sites with infiltration or storage units, the redevelopment offers an opportunity to partially replicate the natural hydrology of the site and improve the existing conditions. WDA has integrated these techniques in many different designs and projects to reduce a project’s impact on the land. Work has included rain gardens, native drought tolerant landscaping, bio-retention areas, water conservation methods, underground infiltration, and pervious paving options. LEED The goal of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, developed and managed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is to recognize that green design not only makes a positive impact on public health and the environment, it also reduces operating costs, enhances building and organizational marketability, increases occupant productivity, and helps create a sustainable community. The LEED program is a voluntary rating system that helps to improve the overall quality of buildings and their impact on the environment. LEED certification allows your project to be recognized for your commitment to environmental issues in your community, organization and industry, validates your achievement, qualifies your development for a growing array of state and local government initiatives and gives you marketing exposure. WDA has been a member of the U. S. Green Building Council since 2004 and has a LEED Accredited Professional on staff. Where applicable, we help our clients investigate the feasibility of having their development certified by the LEED program through careful examination of the development and the LEED rating system. Our Commitment WDA’s commitment to sustainability continues directly into our own offices. Our office includes a number of sustainable design features such as water saving fixtures, high-efficiency lighting and native landscaping features (including a rain garden feature). In addition, through ongoing course work, professional accreditations, seminars, workshops and membership organizations, the WDA design team stays abreast of the current technologies, techniques, regulations and trends within the sustainability, low impact design and LEED communities. |
