Sustainability

Sustainability has long been an integral part of GGA’s philosophical approach to the design of the built environment. For the past 30 years, GGA has been incorporating sustainable elements into its designs; often at little to no additional cost to the client. GGA strives to incorporate sustainable design principles into every project by using natural resources efficiently, reducing energy consumption and minimizing the creation of waste. As a result, our clients are able to realize the financial, social and environmental benefits of sustainable design. At GGA we design every project to meet LEED Certification requirements as a minimum standard and as a firm we have made the commitment to the AIA’s 2030 Commitment for zero carbon neutral buildings.

With building renovations and modernizations as core competency of GGA it has logically followed that we have become experts at incorporating LEED concepts in existing buildings. Currently, GGA is working on the largest federal historic LEED project in the nation for the GSA on the complete modernization of the Herbert C. Hoover building. The building modernization is also the largest single project in the Presidents Stimulus Package providing energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction and the use of recovered materials. The project is located on the Federal Triangle in Washington, DC and houses the Department of Commerce, National Park Service White House Visitor Center and the National Aquarium. The eight-phased project is the largest national landmark building registered to receive a Gold LEED certification.



GGA’s skilled group of LEED Accredited Professionals keeps our clients abreast of the latest trends and at the forefront of sustainable practices. As part of our Green Assessment Program, GGA works to determine how green you are now, how green you want to become and how GGA can help you achieve your sustainable goals. GGA’s commitment started with its own offices and was the first design office in Washington DC to be awarded LEED Platinum certification by the USGBC for commercial interiors.

There are many benefits that can be realized through building green, not only to the environment but also to the building and its users. These benefits include reduced lifecycle and operating costs, increased energy and water efficiency, decreased environmental impacts and increased comfort and quality of life for the occupants – not to mention good corporate stewardship and public relations. Making a commitment to sustainable design can be a vital part of a company’s employee retention and recruitment strategy. A recent poll conducted by Mortgage Lenders Network USA revealed that 94% of U.S. workers prefer to work in a building that is designed to be energy-efficient and ecologically sound.

GGA is also working on a Platinum design office building for the headquarters of the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation. The 30,000 SF project is a combination of an historic structure and new office building. The boutique project incorporates innovative LEED concepts including high efficiency building systems, controllable LED lighting, water saving plumbing fixtures, local and recycled materials and operable windows.

GGA recognizes the importance of sustainable design and carefully chooses to work with consultants that value sustainability.

GGA’s recent experience in sustainable projects includes:

• GGA HQ - Office
• 1522 K Street NW - Building Repositioning
• Newspaper Association of America HQ - Office
• National Park Service HQ – Office
• 23 Eye Street, SW – Residential
• Herbert C Hoover Building (Department of Commerce) – Office
• GSA Regional Office Building – Office
• American Academy for the Advancement of Science Headquarters – Office
• Organization of American States – Office
• Savannah College of Art & Design – Higher Education
• Securities and Exchange Commission – HQ Expansion

• Securities and Exchange Commission – San Francisco Regional Office