HCM Strategic Plan for Sustainability 2010 - 2015

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In the past several years, awareness of the environmental impacts of build-

ings, concern for the environment, evolving understanding of the impacts of climate change and recognition of the importance of natural systems has come to the nation’s forefront. Design profes-sionals, our clients, and the pub-

lic have all acknowledged the im-portance of sustainable design and

programs such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Our VisionThe Strategic Planning Committee has established four vision goals to guide HCM’s sustainability efforts for the next five years. As with all of sustainable design, these goals are integral and symbiotic. The success in one goal supports success in the others.

Our vision includes four priorities:• INTEGRATE the SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PROCESS within HCM

and with our clients, consultants and contractors.

• ELEVATE the quality of our projects, our process, our knowledge and our innovation.

• EDUCATE our staff, clients and consultants. Provide leadership in the design community.

• PARTICIPATE in our community by joining and leading local organizations and striving for continuous improvement in our operations.

The integrated sustainable design process considers sustainability from a systems sensibility. This involves an understanding of how each component of a project influences the others and identifying opportunities and synergies between the site, structure, systems and building use in the design process. During the integrated design process, there is a lively interaction between the design team, the owner, contractor and users to establish project goals, discuss specific strategies and track LEED and/or other rating systems. Typically, a greater level of effort is required in the early stages, leading to an efficient and coordinated design process at construction documents. HCM is committed to integrating our

design process.v

hcm strategic plan for sustainability

HCM has embraced sustainability as one of our core values. The Sus-tainable Design Core Committee (SDCC) has been working for several years to green all aspects of our firm – the projects, the staff and the office. Through a variety of education based initiatives, we have met the majority of our original goals and now feel it is time to raise the bar for our in-house sustainability efforts. In doing so, the SDCC has undertaken a strategic planning process to set new goals as well as develop a timeline and tasks to achieve those goals.

In order to be successful in our work, we must continue to advance our knowledge and our practice of sustainable design. We cannot be satisfied with our progress. We need to push forward to maintain our place as leaders in our marketplace. The strategic plan provides a map to do just that.v

integratevalues and principles

Strategic Plan Goal: Improve our integrated sustainable design process for all of HCM’s projects.

The goal will be accomplished by the following actions:

CULTIVATE TEAMING PARTNERS

• Team with national and regional sustainable leaders.

• Cultivate a team of consultants who understand and value the Integrated Design Process.

• Indentify and develop relationships with contractors to pursue Design Build projects.

• Team with or add staff in key disciplines (energy modeling, civil engineering, environmental science).

ASSIGN SUSTAINABILITY TEAM MEMBERS TO EACH PROJECT

• Provide a seasoned LEED AP and a novice LEED AP (who is part of the project team) on each project. The novice does the majority of the work; the seasoned AP assists and guides as needed

• State sustainability resources in email that assigns project numbers and staffing.

• Develop a checklist of strategies to consider for each project and distribute to team members at the design kick-off meeting.

CONDUCT SUSTAINABILITY CHARRETTES

• Sustainability charrettes are an efficient method to jump start the design process and get buy-in from the entire design team and all stakeholders as well as a method to set clear goals for sustainable design of the project.

• Make integrated sustainability and design charrettes a standard in

our projects.

INTEGRATE BIM TO AID SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

• Integrate BIM and other design technologies to assist our sustainable design efforts.

• Work with consultants who have similar BIM capabilities and goals.

• Use energy modeling software to aid in conceptual design.

STRENGTHEN SUSTAINABILITY QUALITY CONTROL

• Task the project manager with ensuring that sustainable strategies and features of each project are implemented and to confirm feasibility, cost and durability of chosen products and technologies.

• Assign project managers to report 2030 data.

TRACK PERFORMANCE OF COMPLETED PROJECTS

• Consider operations and maintenance during design.

• Follow up on building performance to allow us to learn from experience. This adds to the credibility of our knowledge and allows us to market our results.

• Benchmark costs of strategies, performance of materials, user satisfaction, energy performance and water use.

• Assign LEED AP to follow up and update credit scorecard, credits achieved, etc.

• Track costs and benefits of sustainable systems.

• Understand client feedback and user satisfaction.v

HCM has already undertaken numerous sustainability initiatives. We will continue to aim higher with these new goals

to maintain HCM‘s position as a sustainable leader in our

market region. To achieve this, we will continue to provide our clients with innovative design as well as excellent service and technical expertise as we increase the level of sustainability on each of our projects. v

elevate

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Strategic Plan Goal:

Raise the level of sustainability in all of our projects.

The Goal Will Be Accomplished By The Following Actions:

CULTIVATE AND EDUCATE NEW AND EXISTING CLIENTS

• Educate existing clients about innovative approaches to sustainability.

• Identify, target and obtain new clients who are likely to match our sustainability goals.

• Pursue leadership projects that implement Energy Star, Net Zero energy and LEED gold/platinum level design.

ESTABLISH HCM MINIMUM SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS

• Set in-house goals for building design and performance and integrate energy modeling on all HCM projects to be used on all projects, regardless of LEED or another green building rating system.

• Encourage our clients to commission all their projects.

RECRUIT STAFF WITH SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS

AND TRACK RECORD

• Strategically recruit both seasoned and entry level staff who have an understanding and commitment to sustainability as

integral to their professional goals.

MARKETING

• Pursue speaking engagements as often and in as many venues as possible.

• Publish articles.

• Keep Sustainable Website up-to-date. Establish resource page.

• Submit awards to USGBC MD and others.

• Publicize our accomplishments on website, twitter and other social media sources.

THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

• Continue to practice place-making and create enjoyable and memorable places for people to enjoy.

• Enhance the human experience by creating places that respect the

ecosystems and are appropriate to their bioregions.

EMBRACE THE GOALS OF THE 2030 CHALLENGE

• Evaluate the status of current projects in light of the goals of the 2030 Challenge.

• Work towards meeting the goals of the 2030 Challenge by increasing

the energy efficiency of our projects.

CONSIDER LONG TERM IMPACTS OF OUR PROJECTS

• Consider the carbon/greenhouse gas/water/energy implications of

our projects over the long term.

TRACK INCENTIVES, REGULATIONS AND CODES

• Offer our clients information about obtaining incentive financing for

their projects either by tracking in-house or with consultants.

UTILIZE LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS TO EVALUATE THE

PRODUCTS WE SPECIFY

• Take an aggressive approach on analyzing the products that we specify and what their embodied energy content and end of life

disposal or re-use.

INNOVATE

• Continue to develop innovative prototypes that integrate and showcase sustainable strategies.

Green SheetsIn a continuing effort to innovate and educate, HCM hasdeveloped a ‘Green Sheet’ series. The Green Sheets provide our clients and colleagues with valuable and easily understandable explanations for Green Design options and strategies.http://www.hcm2.com/resources/green-sheets/

Strategic Plan Goals: Program the green lunches, green staff meetings and field trips to push the level of knowledge about cutting edge sustainable technologies and design. Educate our clients and the public through speaking and participation in meetings and on committees and boards.

Provide targeted education so that we are capable of pushing the envelope of sustainability when the opportunity arises. Continue to promote HCM as a leader in our market for sustainable design. v

Green CalendarFind out what is happening on the Baltimore green scene.

http://www.hcm2.com/green-calendar/

educate demonstrate

The goals will be accomplished by the following actions:

PROGRAM EVENTS

• Continue programming events, targeting subject matter to accomplish the goals of the sustainability plan.

MENTOR STAFF

• Make greater efforts to team younger staff with more experienced sustainability staff.

• Dedicate time for younger staff to assist with sustainability.

MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE CURRENT RESOURCES

• Keep resources updated with pertinent information. These resources include the Green Library, Green Intranet, Green Events, Green Sheets, Product Databases and Specifications.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATE

• Continue to participate in design competitions.

• Conduct research on innovative products and strategies.

• Share knowledge with entire staff.

HCM is committed to participating in civic life and in leading efforts to improve our environment and our communities, including our own workplace.

HCM’s Green(er) Office

We have already begun to green the office and have accomplished the easily achievable measures, such as paper reduction and recycling. In order to maintain credibility for our efforts, the market demands accountability and measurement of our performance. With this, we now want to take on the more challenging aspects of the green office such as energy use and carbon tracking.

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WORK WITH OTHER TENANTS AT HCM LOCATIONS

• Meet with the building management and other tenants of the building to compare notes and establish synergies in our greening efforts.

• Work with the building management to assist our efforts.

INCREASE USE OF MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION

• Look into carpooling for staff

• Provide information on public transportation options

• Transportation survey update to facilitate staff use of multi-modal transportation

• Bike/Walk to work day

• Encourage use of public transportation between offices.

COMMIT TO COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Continue to participate in local and national sustainability organizations.

• Undertake service projects and inspire staff to participate.

• Serve on Boards (USGBC, AIA, ASLA, CREW, etc.).

GREEN MEETINGS

• Make sure our in-house and catered events reflect our commitment to sustainability through local/organic sourcing, reduced waste and recycling.

• Use Web-Ex instead of traveling to meetings.

PROCURING SUPPLIES

• Establish guidelines for the purchasing of office supplies and electronics that include life cycle analysis, recycled content and an understanding of disposal or recycling requirements.

• Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.

RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Increase quantity and types of recycling within the office (batteries, electronics, etc.).

• Reduce un-needed prints for office documents. Use electronic correspondence whenever possible. • Generate enthusiasm for recycling within the office.

Strategic Plan Goals:Increase participation in community service. Establish a committee to oversee office greening. Establish benchmarks for current practices, goals for improvement and metrics to measure our progress.

The goals will be accomplished by the following actions:

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

• “Walk the Talk”–both at work and in our personal lives.

• Synchronize the operation of our business to reflect

the principles of sustainability.

IMPROVE COMMUNICATION

• Let clients and visitors know what we do to be sustainable through signage around the office, tweeting and other publicity.

• Raise the visibility of our office’s greening efforts and generate

enthusiasm within the office.

MANAGE MARKETING MEDIA

• Make sure all our marketing materials are printed on recycled papers with non-toxic ink.

• Print business cards on recycled paper.

• Continue to use email blasts instead of printed marketing.

• Use iPads to communicate and submit proposals and presentations

TRACK OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

• Establish protocol for tracking the carbon impacts of our office operations based on the 2030 Challenge, greenhouse gas legislation and accepted tracking methodologies.

• Evaluate improvements to reduce our carbon footprint.

MONITOR AND REDUCE ENERGY AND WATER USE

• Energy Audit for Office – get sub-metering to establish a baseline.

• Water Use Audit.

• Use existing established protocols for tracking.

Providing high quality design and excellent client

service have long been the hallmark of HCM’s

philosophy. Sustainable design is integral part of

that commitment. The Strategic Planning Group

of the Sustainable Design Core Committee is excited to establish a roadmap to guide HCM into the future by continuing our commit-

ment to sustainability.

PARTICIPANTS

Thank you to the following people, who contributed,

commented on and debated the development of this plan:

Bruce MangerChris Harvey

Chris PartsJohn Harris

Laura DulskiLisa Ferretto

Matt DeWolfeMonica Robertson

Tom Casey Zolna Russell

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Baltimore 410-837-7311Alexandria 571-388-7761

summary

Updated 3/2012