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Sustainable Design

 

Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.

 

Sustainable design principles include the ability to:

 - optimize site potential;minimize non-renewable energy consumption;

 - use environmentally preferable products;protect and conserve water;

 - enhance indoor environmental quality;

 - and optimize operational and maintenance practices.

 

Utilizing a sustainable design philosophy encourages decisions at each phase of the design process that will reduce negative impacts on the environment and the health of the occupants, without compromising the bottom line. It is an integrated, holistic approach that encourages compromise and tradeoffs. Such an integrated approach positively impacts all phases of a building's life-cycle, including design, construction, operation and decommissioning.

 

People interested in going greener at their buildings, have likely run into the term "LEED" or "LEED Certified." LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides third-party verification of green buildings. Buildings can earn LEED points in a number of different areas; the goal is to create spaces that are both more sustainable for the planet and healthier for the people living in them. One of the groups of professionals that can help property owners to navigate the tricky waters of the certification process is LEED interior designer.

 

Anna,  with her  LEED professional credentials, affirms her advanced knowledge in green building as well as expertise in LEED rating systems.  She is a leader in the field and an active participant in the green building movement and contributes expertise to the design, construction, operations and maintenance of buildings and neighborhoods that save energy, use fewer resources, reduce pollution, and contribute to healthier environments for their occupants and the community.

 

With the current wave of interest in green living, choosing from the vast array of products and services available can be confusing and difficult. Using all the tools of her training and "real world" expertise in interior design, Anna Grochowska also incorporates intuition and her connection to the natural world to create indoor and outdoor environments which are beautiful, healthy and uplifting for her clients.

Just because LEED designers are green doesn't mean they sacrifice style. Remember, a LEED interior designer was an interior designer first and chose to further his or her training to become a LEED accredited professional — so you can expect the same level of taste and professionalism as from any other design pro.

 

Anna, as a LEED designer, looks beyond the labels to find truly sustainable products and materials. It's all too easy for the average consumer to get fooled by "greenwashing" claims that a product is ecofriendlier than it really is. A good LEED designer will steer you toward the real deal. Becasue LEED designers are required to maintain their credential through continuing eduction Anna constantly research materials, finishes and products used in residential interiors to use this knowledge to help clients create homes that are healthy for their families and the environment. She also tries to reduce carbon footprint by sourcing locally, specify sustainable and responsibly harvested wood, and source and repurpose vintage furniture to reduce waste.

 

Families who have or are expecting children may be especially interested in going greener at home for health reasons, and a LEED designer can help you accomplish that goal. Indoor air quality is one of the main concerns when Anna selects furniture, paint, cabinets and carpets. As green designer, she educate clients on which products

off-gas harmful chemicals, and she eliminates or reduces the use of these as much as possible. At Annaline we specify zero-VOC paints, which emit no harmful chemicals and are safe to use while clients are still living in their home. We also design custom ecofriendly upholstery that contain no flame retardants, which have been linked to a wide variety of health problems, such as impaired fertility and IQ.

 

There are different reasons why building owners need help of LEED interior designer. Some want to adhere to the LEED standard to ensure a certain level of indoor air quality and health for the occupants. Some want to get better resale value on their property, and some want, just by having a home that is certified, to set a good public example for others to follow. Regarless of the reason, at Annaline Interior Design we encourage all clients to employ sustainable strategies. We want to advise what is right for the building and the planet, whether or not client decides to participate in the LEED certification process. 

 

Annaline Interior Design is dedicated to the health of people, our planet, and the use of resources in a mindful way to benefit our future generations. Even when we are not working on projects which are going though LEED certification process we strive to make healthiest design decisions possible. 

 

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