Part I: Sustainable Action Plan

AIA 2030 COMMITMENT

Siegel & Strain Architects is a proud signatory of the American Institute of Architects 2030 Commitment, a national initiative to track energy use reductions for all new building with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Since its start, the reduction target has been steadily increased. Currently, the goal is a 70% reduction in energy use compared to similar buildings. The goal will increase to 80% in 2020, 90% in 2025 and finally 100% in 2030. The platform allows firms to compare data, best practices and energy use from around the nation. In 2016, signatory firms achieved a national average of 42% energy use reduction vs the national average, short of our goal, but an increase from previous years.

Our goal: Hit the target of 70% reduction versus the national average.

ENERGY MODELING AND PERFORMANCE DRIVEN DESIGN

We hold ourselves accountable and ensure our projects perform as intended. Beyond the 2030 goals of energy use reduction, we track 80 different data points on a range of sustainability goals including cost, energy, building envelope, lighting, water, materials and site.  When possible, we collect post occupancy data to compare how our projects perform. Some of the modeling criteria we perform includes:

• Life Cycle Analysis
• Daylighting
• Energy Modeling, auditing and benchmarking
• Building Assembly Analysis
• Water Conservation Analysis

Our Goal: Track and compare data points on all incoming projects. Perform energy modeling at the conceptual stage of every projects.

Daylight Modeling of the Brisbane Library

Tracking our projects' Energy Use Intensity against 2030 Commitment Goals

Click here to download our 2030 Commitment Sustainable Action Plan.

Siegel & Strain Summer Kick-off BBQ Potluck

Twice a year, when the weather is good, the office organizes a lunch time potluck. Roland Lazzarotto grills sausages on the Weber grill and everyone else brings salads, dips, veggies and treats. This being the first potluck since moving to our new offices on Doyle Street, we were able to take advantage of the park that runs adjacent to our new space. We set up lawn games and spent the early afternoon playing Kubb and Cornhole.

Bay Area Bike To Work Day 2018!

This year, nearly 100,000 Bay Area residents participated on May 10 in the 24th Annual Bay Area Bike to Work Day.

While our office prides itself on the number of employees who daily walk, bike and use public transportation to work; we are proud to have had such a strong showing during this year with almost half the office participating.

During the entire month of May we participated in the Bay Area 2018 Bike Challenge. Our Top Commuter was Architect Seth Dunn, biking 22 days and 130 miles to work. Principal Susi Marzoula meanwhile was our Top Rider, making 59 bike trips and riding 220 miles. Way to go Seth and Susi!

Golden State Warriors dedicate new spaces at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro

The Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro was selected by the NBA and Golden State Warriors as a community improvement projects. The NBA and the Warriors, with partners Kaiser Permanente and State Farm, opened a new NBA Cares Learn & Play Zone at Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro on June 1, 2018.

Warriors team members and executives, as well as NBA and WNBA legends and league executives, unveiled three newly-renovated spaces, and joined students and local community partners for several activities including an African dance class, an NBA Voices Community Conversation, science project, planting in a new garden, mural painting, digital design instruction, playing video games like NBA 2K and snack-packing for youth in need. Click text to watch the video.

The new Learn & Play Zone, which includes a multi-purpose room, teen room and garden, will provide youth with a safe place to play and resources to help them explore educational interests.


Watch the Warriors and the thrilled boys and girls at the opening.