SUSTAINABILITY

VSBA is committed to using resources responsibly and providing our clients with healthy, sustainable buildings and sites.  We help to integrate energy efficiency in our planning and design, reduce waste and pollution, divert waste from landfills, and employ both traditional and innovative materials and practices.  As members of the US Green Building Council, we track cutting-edge technologies, practices, and materials.  This allows us to better apply the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system to our projects.  Almost all of VSBA's architectural staff members are LEED accredited.

The South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Centeris a collaboration between The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia. It features a CHOP primary care practice, a city health center, a branch of the Free Library, a city recreational facility with playground, and enclosed parking for staff. The project has targeted LEED Silver certification.

VSBA’s renovation of Fay House at the Radcliffe Institute was awarded LEED for Green Building Design and Construction v3.0 Gold Certification -- only the second LEED v3.0 Gold Certification for new construction at Harvard.  The building incorporates many methods to manage lighting and energy efficiency. Occupancy and daylight sensors, as well personal lighting controls, allow adjustment of light per room and usage. Fay House is also one of the only buildings on campus to power down appliances as well as lights when the building’s not in use, reducing power use and waste. Our renovations also brought fresh daylight and views into working areas.

Previously at the Radcliffe Institute, our renovation of Schlesinger Library achieved LEED certification. We employed an array of energy-efficient building systems, designed more healthful interior environments, and promoted the reuse of building elements and recycled construction waste.

Our design of a new academic, performance, and residential building for the Curtis Institute of Music has achieved LEED Gold certification.

Our renovation of Rockefeller Hall at Harvard Divinity School has achieved LEED Gold certification. It was featured on the 2008 Educators' Summit Sustainable Campus Tour of the U.S. Green Building Council. According to Harvard's Office of Sustainability, this project includes "the most significant greenhouse gas reduction in a Harvard building to date."

Our Kasych Pavilion at the Lehigh Valley Hospital's Cedar Crest campus has achieved LEED certification. Specific strategies included carefully controlling indoor chemical and pollutant sources, with entries designed to capture dirt and particulates; using low-emitting materials which minimize exposure to things like volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde; providing generous natural daylight and external views in all occupied areas to benefit patients, visitors, physicians, and staff; using regional materials and resources.

Also at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, our Center for Advanced Health Care has achieved LEED Silver certification for Core and Shell.
Our Pembroke North luxury condominium in Wayne, PA, is the first Philadelphia-area multi-family residence to achieve LEED certification.

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