Integration is a big part of sustainability. Consultants look for ways to do two things simultaneously all the time when those two actions breed sustainability.
One way to integrate sustainability into your building is to grow food at your corporate campus. This is a great way to reduce the temperature on the roof and save on cooling and heating costs. Check with your landlord on what is acceptable when considering this type of build.
One additional positive aspect of growing a green space on your rooftop is that you don’t have to put a stop to that solar project. Both solar panels and a green space work well together. Here, you are lowering your energy costs and use, as well as obtaining some or all of your power from renewable resources, more integration.
What are the benefits of integration in sustainable design?
- Space is managed well by creating a scenario where two functions occur simultaneously in one arena.
- Synergies can occur when sustainable integration is implemented.
- Financial savings can occur for landlords or leasees.
- The potential to reduce carbon emissions is high when considering sustainable design with integration in mind.
How do I get started with an integrative approach?
Here, we’ve given a couple of examples to get you started: mainly, solar with a green roof. There are also several other ways, including how solid waste is handled in the building.
Teams can get together and brainstorm what might work best for them. For some items, a professional consultant or engineer might be a good option for more complex problem-solving.