* What: Sustainable architectural practices that reduce and offset energy consumption at the Riverfront Professionals building.
* Company: Elemi Architects
* Location: Office location is 1431 Market St.; Riverfront Professionals is at 951 Riverfront Parkway
* How it's green? Sun shades that decrease the amount of additional heat coming into the building allow the area to stay cooler, and shared hot water heaters on each floor reduce water consumption. The building has a high efficiency heating and cooling system, as well as an array of solar panels on the roof that offset energy consumption. A white reflective roof that also catches rainwater for irrigation further reduces energy demand.
* How long will it last? Architect Brad Shelton said the building is designed to last 100 years and was built with materials that should withstand such a lifecycle. All materials used during the building process can be recycled or dismantled and reused at the end of the building's life, said architect Eric Myers.
* Why do it this way? "As architects, we have a responsibility to be environmentally friendly," Shelton said. "It's one thing for us to create a beautiful building, but we have an underlying responsibility to take the environment into account."
* Advice for others considering green initiatives: When constructing a green building, it is imperative to think about the sustainable aspects from the beginning, since it can be difficult to go back after the construction phase, the architects said. When it comes to everyday environmentally friendly initiatives, Myers advised starting with the basics, such as substituting hand towels for paper towels, and adapt over time.
* Is environmentalism an essential part of the business and why? Shelton and Myers said environmentalism was at the forefront of their minds during the Riverfront Professionals project, and they always try to make their designs green.
- Compiled by staff writer Brittany Cofer, bcofer@timesfreepress.com