SUSTAINABLE LEED DESIGN

UNITED STATES GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL / LEED CERTIFICATION

NBA Engineering, Inc. was one of the first MEP design firms to have LEED Accredited Professionals on staff and NBA joined the United States Green Building Council in its infancy. NBA remains an early adapter of green technology working with vendors, clients, engineering peers to promote, advance, and advocate for increasing energy efficiency, water conservation, solar technology, and other sustainable environmentally sound solutions for buildings, schools, and other projects.

NBA GREEN PROJECT

NBA took part in the demonstration project that started the LEED trend working on the Lakeview Terrace Branch Library in Los Angeles, California. The 10,700 sq. ft. Lakeview Library was completed in 2003. Green features included photovoltaic cells providing 15 percent of the electricity need. High efficiency irrigation systems reduce site water usage by 50 percent; high efficiency interior fixtures reduce water use by 30 percent.

NBA ADVOCATES, EDUCATES, AND PROMOTES GREEN DESIGN

NBA has been a part of numerous award-winning projects (as prime consultant) including Oakland’s Terminal 2 which recently became "the first airport passenger terminal in the United States to be awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council," UCSF Mission Bay Campus Community Center, BART to SFO, the San Francisco Old Mint and many others. Several public schools, the Alameda Juvenile Justice Center as well as other projects with LEED equivalent sustainable features. We encourage every client, owner, and project team to incorporate as many green building - energy conservation – environmentally sensible features as possible. We are also currently working on LEED rated condominiums, green public power in San Francisco and other exciting state of the art green design.

HISTORICAL LANDMARK GETS CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY GREENING THE OLD MINT

The San Francisco Old Mint will be the oldest historical building in the United States with a LEED certification. It is exciting to incorporate the latest sustainable design features while at the same time respecting the historical integrity of the building and maintaining its Landmark building status.

NBA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION POLICY

NBA has a written environmental policy goal to create an environment-conscious workplace. This includes waste reduction, reuse and recycling, energy and resource conservation, etc. All NBA offices recycle paper, cans, and other goods; office lighting is the latest energy efficient type. Every small action helps.

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

In the beginning the higher upfront costs of sustainable design prevented some owners from going green. Today upfront costs with incentives and planning are no longer impeding green features. In fact the market place is demanding green offices, green housing, and green schools. Having only one earth with limited natural resources is enough incentive to go green. That and the engine of economic benefits for builders/owners/end users will drive exciting new sustainable and environmentally sound buildings and systems for the future.