SUSTAINABILITY

A new mindset is transforming the way in which architects approach the practice of architecture. The concept of thinking "green" is not really new, but the focus and passion currently applied to sustainability is certainly changing the building industry. Is this another trend that will quickly come and go? Not in our opinion. Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. is committed to applying sustainable and green concepts to our work. See the links below right for case studies of sustainable design projects.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) reports the following statistics related to the staggering effect buildings have on our earth;
Buildings account for:

  • 65% of electricity consumption
  • 35% of energy use
  • 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
  • 30% of raw materials use
  • 30% of waste output
  • 12% of potable water consumption

The benefits of building green can be summarized into three categories;

  • Environmental benefits
  • Economic benefits
  • Health and Community benefits

Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC,) and has recently completed a major renovation for Mid-Ohio Foodbank that was awarded LEED Gold certification. USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is an option for owners of new and renovated buildings. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. LEED certification has many environmental and health benefits related to the verification that a building is an environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy place to live or work. Our staff includes two USGBC LEED Accredited Professionals. This title distinguishes professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED certification process.

Although we endorse the LEED certification process, we realize that not all building owners will choose this path. The good news is that a building can be designed to the highest levels of sustainability and be very green without LEED certification.

We view the challenge of designing green buildings as an opportunity. An opportunity to improve the lives of the people that inhabit our buildings and a chance to reduce the negative impact buildings have on our earth. We welcome the dialogue that thinking and acting green will promote and look forward to leading our clients through this process. Examples of sustainable design in our work include a vegetative roof on the Whetstone Recreation Center, adaptive re-use and other sustainable features on the Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. office and LEED-NC Gold certification for the Mid-Ohio FoodBank.

Mid-Ohio Foodbank Case Study
Mid-Ohio FoodBank Case Study

Whetstone Community Center Case Study
Whetstone Community Center Case Study

U.S. Green Building Council