Sustainable Design

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

RHA Community Works is LEED certified and recognized as a leader in the design of energy- efficient, water-wise landscapes. The firm actively champions environmentally responsible and sustainable design practices, partnering with clients to integrate innovative technologies and materials that conserve resources, reduce long-term maintenance, and deliver lasting budget efficiencies for both public and private facilities.

Use innovative design to create useable areas which detain storm water on site to reduce the amount sent to the storm sewer

Reduce pollution by treating storm water through the use of on-site bioswales, storm water planters, rain gardens and eco-roofs

Create walkways, paths, plazas and parking areas using decomposed granite, porous concrete, porous asphalt and permeable pavers

Storm Water

Management

Space plant material to allow for growth and encourage plants to realize their natural forms

Use lawn substitutes to reduce the amount of mowing needed

Specify organic mulch in shrub / groundcover areas to retain water and suppress weeds

Maintenance

Design spaces which encourage and enable social gathering spaces

Incorporate interpretive signage that speaks of community and site history and sustainable design principles

Social Capital

Provide recycling bins for park users

Specify quality products and materials that are durable and can be recycled in the future

Waste Reduction

Utilize disturbed land to develop park and public spaces

Design buildings, picnic structures, pavilions or other structures to take advantage of the natural day light, ventilation and solar gain

Plant trees to reduce energy needs in the summer, allow winter sunshine, and provide relief from seasonal and prominent winds to protect buildings, picnic areas, play areas, courtyards and plazas

Incorporate native trees, shrubs and groundcover and other water wise plant materials into the design

Specify the use of locally sourced building and plant materials to reduce transportation costs

Resource

Conservation

Green Friendly Check List