Sustainability
At Studio Green we bring current knowledge of environmental sustainability to every project. We work to create landscapes that are appropriate to local context, climate and ecosystems. We believe this can be done without compromising aesthetics or function.
Here are a few examples of sustainable building techniques and projects where they’ve been employed.
Pervious Concrete
Pervious concrete allows water to pass through it, minimizing the amount of water that runs off the site. This allows pollutants to be filtered directly through the soil.
Fly ash
A by-product of the coal-power industry that is otherwise waste, fly ash is environmentally friendly and can be a partial substitute for Portland cement. Because the production of Portland cement is extremely energy intensive, replacing it with fly ash substantially reduces the greenhouse gas "signature" of concrete.
Bioswales
Bioswales are landscape elements involving specific grading, drainage and planting strategies to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. Here the parking lot's surface water is directed into a median swale with native Rush plantings.
Drought Tolerant Planting
Drought tolerant plantings help conserve water and are ecologically appropriate to our dry Northern California climate. Incorporating drought tolerant plants can be beneficial to local ecosystems. Many are natives and require fewer pesticides and fertilizers. They can also be beautiful additions to any landscape palette.