Peter Spittler Architectural Services Finds Innovation in Sustainability

March 08,2013

Firm sees uniqueness emerge as more architects focus on sustainable design.

Peter Spittler Architectural Services Finds Innovation in Sustainability

Firm sees uniqueness emerge as more architects focus on sustainable design.

Peter Spittler Architectural Services states that sustainability in design is becoming the norm rather than a novelty at architectural firms throughout the world. In addition to having a positive impact on the environment, Peter Spittler Architectural Services notes that a sustainable building is more likely to remain in place through multiple generations. This provides an additional incentive for firms like Peter Spittler Architectural Services to focus on sustainability during project development.

The LEED certification system signifies which buildings meet environmental standards, according to Peter Spittler Architectural Services. The first building on the East Coast to receive LEED Platinum status was the structure at 1225 Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C., Peter Spittler Architectural Services relates. The 1225 Connecticut Avenue utilizes a roof that is solar reflective, combined with low-emissive glass. Peter Spittler Architectural Services notes that the building also has chillers to help promote energy efficiency, along with 8,000 square feet of vegetation to deflect heat.

The 1225 Connecticut Avenue building was remodeled to be energy efficient following the 2006 acquisition by Brookfield Properties Corp., says a spokesperson from Peter Spittler Architectural Services. For this reason, the developers were unable to take advantage of shading from trees or positioning of windows to optimize weather conditions. But even without those adjustments, Peter Spittler Architectural Services says that 1225 Connecticut Avenue boasted a 23 percent reduction in energy costs due to the changes.

Soon after the changes were made, World Bank purchased the building for $216 million, which Peter Spittler Architectural Services points out was the highest price paid for a building in Washington D.C., when figured at price per square foot. Peter Spittler Architectural Services believes this demonstrates the long-term value of making environmentally-friendly changes. According to Peter Spittler Architectural Services, World Bank cited a reduction of its carbon footprint as a reason for purchasing the building, with the bank stating that this is part of a long-range plan for the company's real estate purchasing that will span the next 10 to 20 years.

Peter Spittler Architectural Services reports that sustainable development requires working closely with city planners to ensure a building fits in with a city's plans. Still, Peter Spittler Architectural Services says that it is important to keep good design as a priority when putting sustainable projects into motion. An aesthetically pleasing, sustainable building will have more long-term value than a sustainable building that is an eyesore, points out Peter Spittler Architectural Services.

The team at Peter Spittler Architectural Services strives to create projects that utilize sustainable materials, with energy and water efficiency built into the design. Located in Ohio, Peter Spittler Architectural Services has worked on many major projects throughout the country and in Brazil.

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