nature

Sustainable Philosophy

A3C has been environmentally conscious since our founding. We have several LEED-trained (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) sustainability experts on staff, maintain a wealth of sustainable project information, and practice sustainability as an extension of good, well-planned design. We continually incorporate new technologies and processes into our projects. Our most recent sustainable project is the renovation of our building at 210 East Huron Street in Ann Arbor which we have registered and are pursuing LEED-CI Gold certification for.

The LEED Certification comes from the US Green Building Council in recognition of a building that has successfully implemented green building strategies into its design.

Integrated Design Approach

Our Integrated Design Approach (IDA) is capable of providing our clients with a high level of service and quality results. Client stakeholders, architects, engineers, interior designers and contractors participate in a charette process to discuss the interdependencies of the building and systems. From this dialogue they can develop solutions that more appropriately respond to the project goals and might not have been achieved independently. What allows an IDA to deliver sustainable, consensus solutions in the most effective and cost effective manner is the participation of different specialties of design from the early stages of a project. This approach also provides increased opportunity for client interaction with the design team and a far greater understanding of the process than in a traditional design approach.

LEED Accredited Professionals

A3C Collaborative Architecture has one of the top employee education and awareness programs for environmental design in the area. We currently have multiple LEED Accredited Professionals on staff to guide you through the green building and LEED Certification process. Our firm has played host to several LEED Study Groups that were taught by two of A3C’s LEED-AP staffers and we have a goal of at least half of our technical staff being accredited by June ‘08. In addition, we also maintain an in-house sustainability committee which meets regularly to educate and explore new ways to further our knowledge and environmental stewardship as individuals and as a firm.

Environmental Organizations

A3C and/or their employees are active members of the above organizations.

  • AIA Committee on the Environment
  • Atwell-Hicks Sustainability Advisory Committee
  • Friends of the Rouge
  • Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assoc.
    • National Solar Tour Site
  • Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
  • Huron River Watershed Council
  • National Resource Defense Council
  • Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
    • Build Up Detroit Committee
    • Board Member
  • Transportation Riders United
  • U.S. Green Building Council
    • National Firm Member
    • Detroit Chapter Board Member
    • Green School Advocacy Committee
    • LEED Study Session Leader/Host
  • Washtenaw County Waste Knot Partner

A3C and/or their employees are active members of the above organizations.

A3C Sustainable Project Listing

Sustainable Project Listing

Green Presentations

Green Presentations

  • AIA - Michigan Foundation Education Conference
    • Daylighting and the Effects on Education Performance
    • Green Schools and Positive Effects on Student/Teacher Performance
    • 2009 Presentation TBD
  • American Montessori Society (AMS) National Conference
    • What Does it Mean to be Green? The Benefits of Sustainable Design
    • Teaching Environmental Stewardship through Sustainable School Design
  • Lutheran Education Association National Conference
    • The 3 R’s of School Design & Construction
  • High Performance Green Buildings: Educational Seminar
    • Green Building Envelopes
    • Green Roof Systems
  • Michigan Association of Planners
    • Public Agencies Meet Sustainable Design
  • Washtenaw County Waste Knot
    • Green is the New Black: Benefits of Sustainability to the Planet & Pocketbook
U.S. Green Building Council Member