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Building Sciences

Sustainable Building Design

Building construction requires a great deal of energy and material resources, which obviously has an impact on the environment. Every building, as a result of its construction, operations, and maintenance, has its own indoor environmental issues and challenges that must be managed. The concept of Sustainable Building Design has grown out of concern to save energy and resources as well as the need to provide healthier indoor environments. Combining our architectural background with our expertise in materials science, IEQ, and moisture dynamics, MZA provides unique insights into building sustainability.

Selection of building materials and methods directly impacts building sustainability and performance. Sustainability involving the use of recycled materials and energy efficiency requiring high levels of insulation, for example, are the current trends in architecture. In recent years, mold has increasingly become a source for indoor air quality problems in buildings. In the past, exterior walls were uncomplicated structures without insulation, and with vast capability for storing any water that entered the wall assembly; this kept water away from sensitive building materials. Modern construction methods and materials, however, combined with the need to insulate, have changed this. More organic materials that can support mold growth are now used in wall construction. Construction practices moving toward lighter assemblies have removed materials that are able to store water that enters the wall. These trends have resulted in a stock of buildings with the potential to be sensitive to moisture problems and mold growth. MZA addresses problems dealing with such issues as material selection and building envelope design.

MZA provides complete architectural support and building commissioning services, including healthy building and sustainable building design. MZA's services include site design ranging from residential to commercial to industrial settings. In addition to licensed architects and engineers, MZA's staff includes LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals) as well as experts in construction management, building materials, and indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

Licensed to practice architecture in numerous states, including Florida and New York, MZA provides architectural support or design-build services on new projects as well as projects involving renovation or site restoration. MZA provides comprehensive project planning services, including feasibility studies, scheduling, and cost estimating services.

In addition to new construction, existing buildings are candidates for "greening." MZA has a thorough understanding of sustainable building practices and principles and is familiar with guidelines and rating systems for optimum building performance, such as LEED and other systems. Working in conjunction with The Environmental Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, MZA has developed and regularly instructs a course in Mold Assessment and Remediation that attracts contractors, building owners, and facility managers from across the United States. MZA is the author of "Mold and Moisture Damage in Building Envelopes" in The Whole Building Design Guide, published by the National Institute of Building Sciences.

MZA's disaster recovery planning services are linked to sustainability. Consideration of hurricane readiness in sustainable design, specifically in the use of building materials and construction techniques, is critical for new buildings as well as existing buildings. Some buildings in New Orleans, for example, suffered building envelope damage and also encountered water intrusion due to wind-driven rain as a result of Hurricane Katrina; other buildings fared better. The issues faced by building owners and managers, as well as insurers and lenders, in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath ranged from structural concerns to mold remediation to insurance claims to re-occupancy monitoring.

In sustainable design, there obviously needs to be a consideration of the cost implications of "green" building decisions. MZA applies Life Cycle Costing techniques to optimize the trade-offs between first costs and operating costs to arrive at a facility design that has the lowest possible cost of operation.

MZA serves on the Guidelines for Total Building Commissioning Committee jointly sponsored by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).