With its roots in environmental engineering, CDM is a strong advocate of sustainable design. Sustainable—or green—building design is a broad term encompassing various aspects of design, from the siting of new construction and how it will affect the environment, to the selection of construction materials, how they were manufactured, and whether they can be recycled. It also extends beyond the parameters of building design to include elements such as proximity of a facility to mass transit and involvement in material recycling programs.
While many building designs incorporate some elements of green design, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® certification process is the definitive and quantifiable standard for what constitutes a “green building.” Established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven rating system based on existing proven technology. CDM employs a staff of LEED-accredited architects and engineers capable of designing and constructing client facilities that meet the USGBC-established sustainable design criteria.
CDM assists our clients in implementing a considered approach to sustainable design, carefully balancing initial capital costs with life-cycle costs to achieve an optimum cost/benefit ratio. This may be as simple as proper selection of energy efficient mechanical equipment or it may include incorporating active systems such as solar panels.