During the last half-century, the world's population has grown and become more prosperous, placing unprecedented strains on the environment and challenging the ability of the earth to sustain itself. In the United States alone, the built environment accounts for over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, 65% of waste output and 70% of electricity consumption.
At FXCollaborative, we stress the designer's obligation to repair and restore the state of the environment, and our approach extends beyond simply reducing the negative impacts of construction. We recognize that each project has a unique "ecosystem," and we strive to integrate project objectives within broader social and environmental missions. We plan concentrated developments to promote urbanism, public life and shared use of resources. We create buildings that produce rather than consume energy. Our projects contribute additional green space and improve air quality. We endeavor to improve human well-being and protect other species.
FXCollaborative has been a pioneer in the green building movement since its founding over 35 years ago when Principal Bruce Fowle became known for designing solar-responsive, naturally-ventilated homes. In the 1990s, the firm took sustainable design to new heights with the first green high-rise in Shanghai, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (1992); and in New York, the Condé Nast Building at 4 Times Square (1999). As the first green skyscraper in the United States, 4 Times Square's unprecedented integration of sustainable design principles and technologies galvanized the green building movement and was a catalyst for the development of the USGBC's LEED rating system.
To date, our extensive sustainable building portfolio includes more than 16 million square feet of LEED Registered or Certified space, including six Platinum Certified and nine Gold Certified projects. Our work has a distinguished record of achieving performance metrics of sustainability and energy efficiency, including LEED, ENERGY STAR, the 2030 Challenge and other international rating systems. We have authored pioneering sustainable guidelines for future developments, provided leadership and expertise in green civic initiatives such as Mayor Bloomberg's NYC Green Codes Task Force, and are actively involved in organizations such as the NY Chapter of the US Green Building Council, AIA and ASHRAE. Our workplace also reflects our commitment to sustainable design; we were the first architectural practice to receive an ENERGY STAR Small Business Award and have been Carbon Neutral since 2008.
Employee Expertise
Of our professional staff, 90% are LEED Accredited, including 100% of the firm's partnership. Our in-house "Team Green," led by our Director of Sustainability, is the firm's key resource for researching the latest technologies and advancements in sustainable design and disseminating this information across the firm's architecture, interior design, and planning studios. Team Green members are integrated into every project so that sustainability is not outsourced but inherent in all design decisions.
Customization
We don't simply subscribe to green checklists. FXCollaborative integrates the contributions of engineers, specialists, manufacturers, and R&D professionals into design solutions in order to craft a unique response for each project. In-house use of building performance modeling software, which takes into account both climate and context, further contributes to our specialized approach.
Multi-Disciplinary Intergration
Modeled on the AIA IPD format, our holistic design process relies on team members with both broad and specialized expertise who work openly and inclusively. All team members are involved from pre-schematic design through project completion and post-occupancy evaluation.
At the beginning of each project, FXCollaborative works with clients to establish environmental performance goals and outline a process for achieving them. We identify the most effective team of experts, evaluate budgets and schedules, and research existing standards and guidelines. In addition to designing renovations and new construction projects to meet high performance standards, FXCollaborative also authors sustainable policies and guidelines and develops green operational practices. We educate clients' in-house teams and users to ensure environmentally-responsible practices continue throughout a project's lifespan.
Services
Guidelines
• Planning and Campus Sustainability Guidelines
• Sustainable Development Guidelines
• Green Infrastructure Guidelines
• Green Tenant Guidelines
• Green Renovation Guidelines for Existing Facilities
• Green Operations Guidelines
• Organizational 'Best Practices' Guidelines
Master Planning and Programming
• Feasibility Studies
• Site Selection Analysis
• Environmental Assessments
• Programming and Space Planning
• Ecological Restoration Strategies
• Brownfield Redevelopment Strategies
• Water Resource Strategies
Sustainable Building Design
• High Performance Building Design
• Existing Building Green Retrofits
• Greening Landmark and Historic Buildings
• Sustainable Interior Design
• Green Roof Design
• Existing Building Green Audits
• Building Envelope Evaluation and Retrofitting
• Daylighting Analysis and Design Strategies
• Energy Efficient Lighting Strategies
• Energy Analysis and Design/Efficiency Strategies
• Resilient Design and Retrofits
• Pre- and Post-Occupancy Evaluation and Analysis
Certification Assistance
• LEED Certification Coordination
• ENERGY STAR Qualified Projects
• 2030 Challenge Compliant Projects
• Living Building Challenge Implementation
• International Metrics: Gold Star, BREEM, CASBEE, etc.
For more information, please contact Dan Piselli, Director of Sustainability, at 646 292 8137 or dpiselli@fxcollaborative.com.
