Sustainable & Green Design
We help clients put plans into action to meet market demands, comply with emerging regulations, and adopt sustainable practices. Our engineers and planners can identify tangible strategies to set new targets and fulfill sustainability commitments. Whether your project must stay below a stated carbon footprint, achieve net-zero energy, or reduce its potable water consumption, Kimley-Horn can help you plan and execute your sustainability goals.
Building Decarbonization & Net Zero Carbon
The emergence of new regulations, innovative technologies and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment trends are a few factors driving asset managers and developers to prioritize the decarbonization of existing and future projects. Understanding carbon reduction strategies can be confusing so to help, we can:
- Measure emissions and establish baselines
- Raise the standard of performance for buildings
- Understand, anticipate, and comply with policy and code changes
- Develop operational and embodied carbon reduction strategies
We understand your needs through planning and project life cycles. From sorting through environmental product declarations to performing life cycle assessments, our engineers, planners, and subject matter experts are available to provide creative solutions to meet stakeholder needs.
Alternative Energy
Reducing a system’s reliance on a single source of power can be a challenge. However, the urgency to diversify energy options continues to drive significant investment in a diverse array of renewable and regenerative energy sources. At Kimley-Horn, we are well-versed in a wide range of services to keep up with disruptions, opportunities, and emerging trends in the energy sector, including:
- Solar
- Wind
- Bioenergy
- Geothermal
- Microgrids and battery storage
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
- Energy audits and efficiency plans
- Energy policy evolution
We design solutions of various scales, from single-building heat pump replacements to solar farms capable of producing more than 300 megawatts of electricity per day. Regardless of the complexity or constraints of a given project, Kimley-Horn can help determine the right strategy to maximize return on investment and provide pragmatic solutions for a cleaner tomorrow.
Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based Services (NbS) are engineering and design solutions that use natural processes to solve issues in the built environment. While many current green design practices strive to create a net-zero carbon footprint, NbS is the only sustainability model that will truly create regenerative projects. These projects require extensive collaboration between life science professionals, landscape architects, engineers, and others, striving to:
- Create harmony between the built environment and the natural environment
- Follow evidence-based and science-based design principles
- Promote environmental equity
It is critical to focus on site planning and design to not only mitigate the effects of climate change but to regenerate the natural world. Kimley-Horn offers the expertise of accomplished professionals adept in a variety of site, landscape, and infrastructure projects ready to provide nature-based design solutions that meet your needs.
Resiliency and Asset Management
Natural disasters and climate-driven catastrophes threaten our critical infrastructure. Applying the concepts of resiliency planning and design can help businesses and communities adapt to the shocks and stressors of a changing world. Identifying actionable investments requires data-driven planning frameworks that are:
- Adaptive
- Probabilistic
- Phased
- Locally informed
- Holistic
- Sustainable
Kimley-Horn regularly helps clients align resilience, sustainability, and public health needs with cost-effective, long-term solutions. Our portfolio of work spans municipal planning, identification of funding, project design, and program management. We have produced greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies, written climate action and adaptation plans, and completed vulnerability assessments for clients from coast to coast. We are proud to be at the forefront of preparing for an uncertain future.
One Water Solutions
Improving the reliability of our water supply requires cooperation and coordination between a variety of public and private entities. Climate stressors, natural disasters, and human activity threaten the continued stability of water resources in many communities, driving the emergence of new government regulations, contaminant studies, technological advancements, and more.
Kimley-Horn takes an integrated One Water approach to sustainable water solutions. We recognize the value of all water and work with clients to optimize its value through various treatment, conservation, and beneficial-reuse approaches. These sustainable water strategies include:
- Regenerative stormwater reuse
- Rainwater harvesting
- Greywater reuse
- Wastewater recycling
- Potable reuse at varying scales
- Treatment for PFAS and other contaminants
- Natural systems treatment
We design public facilities and natural spaces with pleasing aesthetics, environmental benefits, and educational elements. Our systems approach balances a project’s long-term operations, maintenance requirements, and construction costs to prolong water resources.
