GreenShape reflects on the evolution of a green economy
This past Earth Day marked GreenShape’s fifth anniversary. We couldn’t be happier with the success we’ve helped our clients achieve building green at home and around the globe. The green economy has evolved dramatically since GreenShape was founded in 2004.
The 2009 GreenShape Team
2004: “An energy efficient, environmentally-friendly approach.”
This was the answer to the question people were asking just five years ago, “What is green?” Iris Amdur had been coaching design and construction professionals on green building when LEED was in its infancy. Working with a handful of clients including the General Services Administration, the Louis Dreyfus Property Group and Sidwell Friends School, Iris and these early-adopters of LEED invested much effort educating the public on the benefits of a sustainable approach to building. GreenShape celebrated the LEED Gold certification of the Navy Federal Credit Union in Pensacola that year.
2005: “2% average increase in construction costs for a 30%-35% reduction in utility bills.”
Holly Jamesen Carr joined Iris in furthering GreenShape’s efforts and we promoted the successes of the first LEED-rated buildings. The question on everyone’s mind was, “How much does it cost?” Once savvy executives began to understand that being green was not about hugging trees, but an opportunity to receive significant return on investment, momentum began to slowly build. The LEED Silver certification of the National Association of Realtors Washington, DC Headquarters became a landmark for taxi drivers and set the development community abuzz with talk about green as the Realtors began to share their success.
2006: “Use an integrated approach.”
An interest in green building was growing. Iris Amdur worked on an inter-disciplinary team to advise DC Councilmember Jim Graham on establishing the DC Green Building Act of 2006, which established standards for both public and private development. GSA NCR honored Iris’ work leading an inter-disciplinary coalition for construction waste reduction. The Builders Guide to Reuse and Recycling (www.mwcog.org/buildersrecyclingguide/) was published by the Metropolitan Council of Governments and GreenShape helped the Service Employees International Union and the Society for Neuroscience achieve LEED NC Gold certifications. Former VP Al Gore released his film, An Inconvenient Truth, helping bring climate issues to the forefront of the public eye and the USGBC raised the bar for energy performance in LEED-rated buildings.
2007: “How green is your bag?”
As public awareness increased, green became the new black. GreenShape conducted a charrette-a-day marathon for a two-week period in February as private sector developers reacted to the DC Green Building Act. GreenShape moved to our downtown office and our team was joined by Patrick Tallarico and Whitney Maymon. We helped USGBC launch LEED for Schools that year and celebrated along with Sidwell Friends Middle School, the first LEED Platinum school in the world.
2008: “How can we save more energy and earn more LEED points?”
Gasoline prices rose to an all-time high of $3.31/gallon and suddenly the cost of living in the suburbs no longer made economic sense. Businesses also began to ask how to conserve energy to reduce rising operating expenses. Owners and managers of existing buildings pursued certification under the new LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.
New talent entering the workforce started asking potential employers about their sustainable commitments. Silver had become the new LEED certification standard in the Washington, DC area, and the competition to reach higher certification targets and attract tenants became fierce. Tenants began to increase the use of LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED CI) and GreenShape celebrated LEED CI certifications of the Union of Concerned Scientists Headquarters and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. 1101 New York Avenue, the National Maritime Center, and a Child Care Center in Ashburn, VA were also certified with our help last year. GreenShape brought Sara Cederberg, Jessica Abralind and Emmy Schneider onto our growing team.
2009: “Where’s the money?”
Despite overall economic downturn, the green building sector continues to be strong. President Obama’s commitment to a green economy and federal stimulus dollars are keeping green building in a growth pattern, and the nation’s focus on resource conservation fits well with a sustainable approach. GSA is slated to get $5.5 billion (20 times their annual budget) in stimulus funds. DC’s “green jobs” focus ties in well with the green building requirements that are now in effect for public buildings in the District of Columbia. State incentives (http://www.dsireusa.org/) for energy efficiency and green building are also available. GreenShape has already celebrated the certification of Sidwell Friends Lower School in April, and eagerly awaits the opportunity to announce other LEED certification awards that are expected soon.
GreenShape owes a huge debt of gratitude to the many people on the 150 project teams we’ve worked side-by-side with these past five years. We thank you for your business and look forward to a continued partnership in raising the bar on sustainable living. Please remember, GreenShape is here to help in any way we can and we welcome and thank you for your referrals.