Our fundamental value lies in our dedication to people and the creation of purposeful, context-specific architecture. One salient purpose revolves around safeguarding our planet, its communities, and the environment by integrating climate-sensitive architectural solutions. Demonstration of this is our Sustainable Action Plan, which outlines three key goals:
- Fostering a sense of wonder through highly sustainable design solutions that evoke awe and appreciation for the natural world.
- Seeking the pursuit of knowledge by meticulously tracking the emissions generated by our work, enabling continuous improvement and minimizing environmental impact.
- Demonstrating our commitment to people by actively tracking and reducing our operational carbon footprint, contributing to a healthier planet for present and future generations.
View our Sustainable Action Plan (SAP) here.
HIGHLY SUSTAINABLE PORTFOLIO
BVH seeks to deliver high performing buildings. For example, recently completed and located on the MCC South Omaha Campus, the new MCC Auto Tech Facility is a 100,000 sf building that serves as home of the College’s Automotive Technology and Automotive Collision Technology programs. This highly sustainable community focused project achieved LEEDv4 Silver certification through the purposeful incorporation of nature and biophilic elements. The program facilitates key partnerships between the college and private industry partners such as Toyota, Scion, and Lexus.
COMMITMENT TO CARBON NEUTRALITY
Authored in 2017, our SAP has driven changes to our design process, approach to project delivery, and grown into six years of actively reporting our portfolio to the AIA 2030 commitment. BVH is proud to be part of the small percentage (1/3!) of 1,300 signatories that report project data.
OFFICE OPERATIONS
When it comes to making a difference, BVH believes in leading by example.
- Our workplace sustainability efforts divert 80-90% of waste from our landfill. This meant 3,427 lb. of waste diverted in 2022, and 2,944 lb. in 2023.
- Office operations are tracked and reported to staff annually. We use Energy Star Portfolio Manager to track office operations beginning in 2016, BVH has reduced its GHG emissions intensity by 35 to 40% in our Omaha and Lincoln studios.
- Annual Transportation and Human Satisfaction surveys are collected from our staff regarding their commuting habits and thoughts on our office environment and results are shared internally.
As architects, designers, and community leaders it is our responsibility to be stewards of our social, financial, and environmental resources. Today’s buildings demand smart solutions to foster a better quality of life as well as the responsible use of finite resources. As communities, owners, and occupants demand higher standards we must rise to the challenge—providing innovative, creative, and data-rich solutions. We cannot remain complacent with the status quo, but rather lead in our profession to set a new standard.