10 High-Impact, Cost Efficient Sustainable Design Strategies

Thoughtful resource management—materials, energy, time, budget—is a commitment that Scott Edwards Architecture makes to each project we undertake. Our people-first approach aligns with this commitment and sets in motion the inherency of forward-thinking design when the experience of a space is the driver; qualities like thermal comfort, natural light, connection to the environment, fostering community, and creating a positive legacy all contribute to a healthy space for those inhabiting it.

There’s a common perception, and one that we’ve heard from our own clients, that high-performance, resilient, and sustainable strategies all come with a cost premium. While this is an accurate assessment for some technologies, materials, and systems, Architecture 2030 notes that 70-80% of all sustainable strategies are no-to-low-cost when considered early in the design process. Simple design solutions like building siting and orientation, being thoughtful about form and massing, and balancing daylight and shading set the stage for higher performance with no added cost. Promoting these ideas is meaningful to SEA, and in this piece, we’re excited to contribute to the conversation by highlighting 10 high-impact, cost-efficient strategies for increasing a project’s sustainability.

Architecture 2030 notes that 70-80% of all sustainable strategies are no-to-low-cost when considered early in the design process.

1 Out-the-Gate Goal Setting (no cost, often saves money)

Goals create a compass for a project’s development and without them, it can be easy to miss opportunities. The strategy of “Out-the-Gate Goal Setting” helps create a project vision inclusive of overall and sustainability goals. These serve as guideposts for what is most important, ensuring key strategies are less likely to be value-engineered. To apply this strategy, set aside time during the design kick-off meeting, or better yet, host a sustainability workshop, to identify values and priorities, and the goals for realizing them.

Setting sustainability goals at the beginning of the project alongside the complete project vision facilitates an integrated design and increases the ability to make a positive impact while remaining cost-efficient.

2 People First (low cost)

Prioritize the building user’s experience and health. By creating welcoming, inclusive spaces that people love, we as designers can increase a building’s lifespan. The “People First” strategy incorporates natural materials, organic forms, indoor plants, daylighting, and views of the outdoors. By connecting users to the natural environment, productivity and well-being increase and absenteeism decreases, with the added benefit that natural materials are generally free of harmful chemicals that are hazardous to health.

This strategy also applies an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens to the project’s process by employing a diverse project team and engaging with the community. This approach fosters the design of inclusive spaces and strengthens important human networks—key ingredients to stronger architectural responses and building longevity.

3 Reuse-Reduce-Recycle (low cost, often saves money)

By swapping two words in this age-old adage (looking at you, reduce and reuse), we see how the “Reuse-Reduce-Recycle” strategy applies to buildings. Less building means fewer materials and more dollars in the client’s pocket. It also means fewer carbon emissions and a more climate-friendly, people-first result. Targeted application of this strategy can have a significant impact—below are some ideas to consider:

Adaptive reuse
Reuse materials for finishes, like salvaged wood flooring and feature walls.
Reuse spaces for multiple functions to reduce program.
Reduce building volume—think square footage and height.
Reduce finishes required—could the structure be the final finish?
Reduce structure, especially foundations through optimization and lighter structural systems like wood.
Recycled materials like steel, glass tile and paperstone countertops.
Recyclable materials, especially those that will not be down-cycled like steel, metal panels (non-insulated), and gypsum board.

The Wilsonville Public Works multi-purpose space is a good example of reusing a space for multiple functions to reduce program. SEA designed it to function as one large conference room, be divided into two smaller conference rooms, or serve as their emergency operations center during storms.

4 Be Thoughtful About Form (no cost)

Compact forms that are well-sited for their region’s climate use less energy. The “Be Thoughtful About Form” strategy encourages us to orient the building from east to west so that the longest façade faces south, and keep the form compact with shallow floor plates that allow daylight to effectively illuminate spaces while reducing mechanical loads.

5 Balancing Glass (often saves money)

Rather than opting for highly glazed or all-glass facades, balance the area of window-and-wall, particularly at the east and west where controlling glare and heat gain are more challenging. Windows, storefronts, and curtainwall are more expensive than the typical opaque wall assembly and have poorer thermal performance. The “Balancing Glass” strategy keeps to a 25-30% window-to-wall area for the building overall and for each regularly occupied space to balance daylight and thermal performance.

It is also worth noting that designers can make more thoughtful glazing decisions. While optimizing performance values by facade is one option that can have added costs, we recently found that by using center-set glazing instead of front-set glazing on a Kawneer storefront system, we could achieve the same thermal performance and save $7/square foot.

“...we recently found that by using center-set glazing instead of front-set glazing on a Kawneer storefront system, we could achieve the same thermal performance and save $7/square foot.”

6 Make it Airtight (low cost)

Airtightness provided by a continuous air barrier is critical to building performance—20-60% of heat is lost through the building envelope due to infiltration. Typically, the weather-resistive barrier doubles as the continuous air barrier, so by carefully sealing, caulking, and taping at its joints and penetrations, we can ensure airtightness. The “Make it Airtight” strategy benefits from an envelope consultant to monitor the details during design and construction. Most codes now require this expert to be a part of the team. To ensure performance is being met, perform testing during construction and problem-solve if realignment is needed.

7 Commit to All-Electric (no to low cost)

Eliminate carbon emissions associated with fossil fuel-powered equipment, because we know that even the most efficient gas hot water heater will always have a climate impact. By going all-electric, projects will have fewer and fewer emissions as the utility grid becomes cleaner. An additional benefit to the “Commit to All-Electric” strategy is that electric HVAC and hot water systems, like heat pumps, are typically more efficient than their gas counterparts, and electric appliances are cost-competitive with gas counterparts. Going all-electric brings additional cost savings since gas service and infrastructure costs are then eliminated as well.

Centennial Place is all-electric and its 75 kW rooftop photovoltaic array is designed to carry a significant percentage of the house load, if not the entirety. The design includes a cost-effective and easy-to-implement drain water heat recovery system, and two onsite drywells manage 100% of the site’s stormwater. The size of the array is in direct relation to powering the drain water heat recovery system that enables the building to be all-electric.

8 Make Concrete Plans (no to low cost)

When compared to other materials, concrete is the greatest material by volume on most projects and has one of the highest carbon emissions. The “Make Concrete Plans” strategy sets a project-wide carbon emissions reduction target for concrete, allowing concrete subcontractors the flexibility to select various concrete mixes while meeting the overall reduction goal. It also allows the general contractor to manage curing times with the overall project schedule.

We’ll also note that this strategy applies to all materials, not just concrete. With minimal research, we are finding that the climate impacts of materials can often be reduced by selecting lower embodied carbon options with the same quality and cost. One tool we have been using to quickly analyze the carbon in materials is Payette’s Kaleidoscope.

9 Claim Tax Credits and Incentives (often saves money)

There are numerous federal tax credits available for solar, geothermal, heat pumps, electric vehicles, home energy efficiency, battery storage, and more, and these can be combined with energy incentives from Energy Trust for additional savings. With the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), solar power is penciling with a return on investment in as few as 4 years for some project types, and geothermal systems are now becoming feasible. The “Claim Tax Credits and Incentives” strategy starts with identifying opportunities by reviewing the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, searchable by project zip code: www.dsireusa.org

Our Virginia Garcia Newberg Wellness Center has a large solar array (80.6 kW) financed through Energy Trust incentives and a PGE Renewable Development Fund grant, bringing the payback period to just 4 years.

10 Tell Your Story (saves money)

Ensure your goals are met and then share your story of success widely. Research demonstrates that sustainable buildings have higher occupancy rates and higher rent premiums, and their occupants have higher productivity and cognitive function. Apply the “Tell Your Story” strategy by creating marketing materials and formal presentations sharing these benefits with potential tenants, current and potential staff, community members, investors, you name it—most people want to inhabit sustainable, healthy spaces, and by sharing your story, you become part of this important and timely conversation.