Sustainability

We believe sustainability should be ingrained into each project from its earliest stages. We are solutions-focused, leading project teams to collaboratively identify challenges and solutions unique to your organization’s needs. Our team is constantly researching and exploring new and innovative design ideas and products to be able to serve our clients in pursuit of their sustainability goals. At SGA, our goal is to seamlessly deliver high-performance, comfortable, healthy buildings that holistically serve their occupants and communities for generations to come.

Energy & Carbon Responsibility

SGA leverages sustainable planning, feasible renewable energy analysis, energy usage evaluation, and carbon emissions data to understand your institution’s carbon goals. We collaborate to assess embodied carbon, life cycle costs, and electrification strategies. By defining operational carbon early, our experts identify long-term reduction targets and cost-effective solutions that protect both your budget and the planet.

Passive House Concepts

When air-tight, well-insulated design combines with carefully coordinated HVAC systems, your project team is able to create a built environment that meets or exceeds Passive House standards. Having designed two of New England’s first passive house projects, SGA’s expertise in implementing this holistic approach to sustainability continues to align with the visions of the most forward-thinking institutions and organizations.

Mass Timber + Sustainably Sourced Materials

SGA utilizes mass timber and eco-friendly materials to dramatically reduce carbon footprints while targeting LEED, Passive House, and Net Zero certifications. Having designed New England’s very first mass timber office building, our team continuously pushes technological boundaries at scale, creating inspiring, healthy environments that visibly champion your organization’s commitment to sustainability.

Industry Certification

SGA’s team includes professionals accredited in LEED, WELL, Passive House, FitWel, and other leading sustainability frameworks. We guide clients through certification processes while applying these best practices across projects of every scale, specialty, markets, scope, and typology. Regardless of any individual project’s intention to pursue certification, these organizations and their research guide our best practices.

Wellness

SGA believes sustainable design should enhance both environmental performance and human well-being. We create healthy, comfortable, and equitable environments through thoughtful integration of natural light, fresh air, thermal comfort, acoustics, and biophilic design. By prioritizing occupant wellness, we help clients create spaces that support productivity, engagement, and quality of life.

Resiliency

While sustainability addresses our impact on nature, resiliency manages nature’s impact on us. SGA delivers proactive architectural solutions that anticipate potential catastrophic climate events to secure the built environment. Having successfully completed numerous waterfront projects, our specialized expertise mitigates environmental risk and effectively future-proofs your institution’s valuable real estate assets.