Green or Sustainable Construction is a building process where environmentally conscious decisions permeate every aspect of the potential job, from pre-construction and materials selection, to scheduling, planning, waste removal, and job completion. Sustainable Construction is more efficient and minimizes damage to the environment during the building process, but also leaves a structure that is both energy efficient and eco-friendly, but one built with principals that benefit the usability as well. Using sunlight in place of artificial light, circulating clean, fresh air as opposed to relying completely on man made filtration systems, and providing layout and landscaping that makes for a structure that is better for animals, plants and people who come in contact with it.
Sustainable Construction Projects Consider:
* Energy Efficiency and reducing the energy used in daily operation.
* Using sustainable construction supplies such as recycled materials and renewable resources.
* Environmentally sustainable features like rooftop gardens, water reduction measures, and the use of nontoxic building materials.
* Using local materials that are both easier and cheaper to bring in.
* Social sustainability includes the construction of public uses spaces like walking trails and shaded park that help the structure to better fit with the natural environment, and add benefits to the local community.
Utilizing a company like Shawmut, with a long track record of leading the way in the Sustainable Construction movement, ensures you have a partner with the experience and know how to get the job done right. We can build a plan that not only calculates the long term energy savings, but intimately understand the available rebates and assistance that is available to owners committed to sustainability.
Shawmut's commitment to sustainable construction permeates everything we do, both in the office and on our jobsites. We make informed, deliberate decisions which take into account financial and design concerns as well as ensuring ongoing environmental stewardship. Shawmut is a member of the Environmental League of Massachusetts Corporate Council, and the US Green Building Council, where we are actively involved with sustainable construction projects designed and built in compliance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. Many team members are LEED Accredited Professionals, and many more are actively pursuing accreditation through Shawmut's in-house training programs. We have completed LEED certified projects at all levels, from basic Certified through Platinum on the LEED Certification Rating System, but we don't just react to our clients' demand for sustainable construction practices, we drive it.
