Sustainability

etica News

the etica group was presented with two awards for a Sustainable Garden Project which was designed for Fortune 500 company headquarters located in Indianapolis. One award was the first award ever presented at the Monumental Affair for the use of sustainable products and the reuse of materials entitled the (re) thINk Award. The second award was the 2010 INSLA INPAWS Award presented by the Indiana Chapter of the Amercian Society of Landscape Architects. Saturday, 07 July 2007 09:54Sean Mettert, EI recently joined the etica group in the New Haven Office. Sean is a 2010 Purdue University Civil Engineering graduate and resides in Auburn Indiana. Sean is currently supporting the New Haven Building Envelope Team and will also be be active in Engineering Design and Construction Observation projects. Saturday, 07 July 2007 09:54

sustainability

The architectural design process addresses key parameters such as functional use, code requirements, safety, accessibility, and aesthetic design. etica architects and engineers have always incorporated design features into projects which were sustainable by nature - but with today’s energy issues and “green” awareness a more concerted emphasis is placed on sustainable design. the etica group believes in promoting sustainability concepts in both engineering and architectural projects as long as those concepts fall within the parameters and desires set forth by the client.

Most of our clients are interested in incorporating sustainable features into projects - as long as they make economic sense. Incorporating sustainable project features into any project promotes a cleaner environment and may provide economic cost savings. The return-on-investment may consist of reducing community costs through reducing storm water flows off-site, reducing overflows to streams, or reduced light pollution through “Night Sky Compliance” lighting. Specifying the use of efficient energy use systems saves energy costs for the client and can reduce fossil fuel-generated pollution of the environment. Additionally, specifying the use of locally supplied construction materials, renewable products, and products comprised of recycled materials all promote sustainable concepts.

In conjunction with the promotion of sustainable issues, etica has been approved by the US EPA as an Energy Star Partner and by the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce as a Green Business. the etica group is also a member of the US Green Building Council, has on staff a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) and regularly educates members of the firm on innovative sustainable concepts.