Removing Barriers to Green Building

When you think of green building, chances are utilities aren’t the first client that comes to mind. However, with the help of Philadelphia- based Re:Vision Architecture, Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural gas utility, PECO, installed a 45,000-square-foot vegetated green roof on its headquarters in central Philadelphia.

The largest in urban Pennsylvania, the roof soaks up more than 1.5 million gallons of rainwater runoff annually, reduces air temperatures in the summer and provides a habitat for wildlife. Through this partnership, RVA brings green building to a truly mainstream client.

“For us, it’s about removing barriers to green building,” says Principal Scott Kelly.

At RVA, the architects’ job description goes beyond traditional responsibilities to include sustainability consulting, education and even project fundraising. RVA’s immersion approach, often including a community-based Green Design Charrette to kick off a project, means that every employee is a director of sustainability, every project an opportunity to inspire and educate other businesses to adopt its triple bottom line approach. The entire project is a collaborative process, exposing everyone, from the client to the contractor, to a new way to work. “All of the team members learn so much and are so much more knowledgeable about how to make more sustainable decisions on behalf of the project and beyond,” Principal Jenn Rezeli explains.

RVA distinguishes itself even among other firms with green buildings in their portfolio. For example: more than 50 percent of RVA projects meet the Architecture 2030 Challenge; more than fifty percent of its projects are built on brownfields or infill sites; more than 25 percent of its projects exceed local storm water management codes by at least 40 percent; and more than sixty percent of its suppliers are local; and, not surprisingly, more than 75 percent of its staff are LEED Accredited Professionals.

RVA has gone well beyond Green Building 101, and by acting as teachers, as well as architects, the firm helps ensure that its sustainable buildings become occupied by sustainable businesses, too.

Learn more about RVA here.

Photo credit: PECO

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Mikaila H.

3:48PM PDT on Apr 4, 2011

That's so neat! Thanks for sharing.

April 4
send a green star

Brenda T.

1:08AM PDT on Mar 30, 2011

Thanks for sharing.

March 30
send a green star

Sue M.

7:59PM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

thanks.

March 28
send a green star

Ruth R.

4:29PM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

Thank You. Article has some good thoughts.

C. G.

3:09PM PDT on Mar 16, 2011

noted

March 16
send a green star

Bruno M.

11:35AM PDT on Mar 16, 2011

interesting...

Jeremy D.

10:22AM PDT on Mar 16, 2011

+1 for what Priscilla G. says :)

Priscilla G.

3:56AM PDT on Mar 16, 2011

All roof space on city buildings should be used for growing fruit and veggies or covered with solar panels to generate electricity, otherwise it is a waste of space that could be used to to benefit us.

Shannon L.

10:01PM PDT on Mar 15, 2011

This is one of the best stories I've seen in awhile. A community, business, and corporation working together for something positive. Grass on the roof!