Sustainability

Inspired by the inherent link between
beauty, performance and impact.

As humans, we are dependent upon a thriving natural world to be our best; as designers, we seek to honor that relationship. As the built environment impacts our planet, we see it as our duty to confront climate change and build sustainable communities, no matter the scale, location or end-user.

NBBJ architects and designers regularly work to minimize carbon emissions, conserve natural resources and pioneer new strategies to continually raise the bar across fields of design. We also seek to create healthy places with fresh air, daylight and green materials–which result in better cognitive performance, reduced onset of chronic disease and greater wellbeing.

Outdoor Access for Health and Creativity

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

Each project is driven by shared principles and practices focused on environmental benefit; applying them across fields of design at NBBJ allow for creative solutions with maximum impact.

Sustainable design goes far beyond resource and energy conservation. Integrated planning, architecture, landscaping and interior design means achieving maximum impact by connecting the dots across principles and practices.

NBBJ uses design computation tools to optimize performance metrics like material use and energy consumption; this process resulted in a design for Hangzhou Stadium that uses 2/3 less steel than a stadium of comparable size and capacity.

NBBJ continually works to drive innovative thinking around sustainability and design, for instance, a new workplace concept, part of Fast Company’s “New Rules of Work” series, which would encourage bicycle use with ramps that allow cyclists to ride from the street directly to their desks.

Environmentally-Friendly Design Innovation

As one of the very first signatories of the AIA 2030 Commitment and early adopters of the 2030 Challenge, NBBJ is committed to continually reducing energy and fossil fuel emissions and achieving a zero-emissions design standard by the year 2030.

These are a few of the many organizations we support in various ways, including through financial contributions, participation in volunteer events and the provision of pro bono design services. For more on philanthropy at NBBJ, click here.