SUSTAINABILITY

The original settlers knew that to successfully endure the rigors of a harsh northeastern climate, their homes and businesses needed to respect basic laws of nature. Building orientation and construction maximized natural daylight and solar heat and minimized winter’s chill, especially where windows were generously placed on the sunny south facing side of the building.
While not a new concept, sustainable design principals allow buildings, neighborhoods and communities to capitalize on free heat and natural daylight in ways never dreamed possible by our forefathers. The US Green Building Council has codified standards for sustainable design within the leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) framework that is being used to improve the sustainability of our lifestyles, buildings and neighborhoods. Sustainable principals underpin all aspects of the life cycle of a building, from its siting to its physical orientation and construction techniques and ultimately to the operational and maintenance practices it requires.
Banisch Associates, Inc. is helping individuals, communities and regional planning entities evolve models of sustainable design and development that can save energy, reduce costs and provide a living and working environment that benefits the people using the spaces.