SWBR employees earn LEED accreditation

Scott Stevens and Michael Brown, design technicians at SWBR Architects, have recently received their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accreditation, offered through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This accreditation recognizes those who have completed the necessary training, education and testing to apply sustainable architecture standards to their designs. SWBR now employs 15 LEED accredited professionals. Sustainable architecture is a term used to describe economical, energy saving, environmentally friendly, and sustainable development.  Sustainable architecture meets the needs of people today without destroying the resources that will be needed in the future. For the designer, this means being aware of the consequences of choosing particular materials, the waste created, the impact on immediate and future environments, and the health of those involved (the manufacturers, suppliers, installers, building occupants), over the life of the facility. "We're thrilled for Scott and Michael and proud of their accomplishment in obtaining LEED accreditation. LEED principles are an everyday part of our firm's designs and they stand behind what we believe in as a company," said David Beinetti, president of SWBR. "We're strongly committed to training our entire staff in sustainable design and encourage them all to get accreditation to help us improve on the best practices we have used for years. There are a myriad of benefits to sustainable design including increased environmental quality; economic benefits such as lower operating costs; and health and community benefits including enhanced occupant health and comfort." NYS supports green architectural practices, too. In 2001, NYS executive order 111 was enacted, directing state agencies, state authorities and others to be more energy efficient and environmentally aware. Specifically, it states that renewable energy must meet 10% of yearly energy use through 2005. By 2010, it must meet 20% of yearly energy use. Stevens works in the Life Services studio at SWBR, where he designs and develops concepts for projects, creates graphics for presentations and drafting in AutoCAD and Revit for schematic through construction documents. Stevens holds a bachelor of science in Design (BSD) in Architecture from Arizona State University. Brown works in the Products and Services studio at SWBR and serves as a designer/technician. He earned his bachelor's and master's degree in Architecture at the University of Buffalo.