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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

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

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



U.S. Green Building Council Member