Mission:

LAUSD launched a new school construction program with the approval of a $20 billion bond. Later, the LAUSD Board of Education mandated the inclusion of the Collaborative for High Schools (CHPS) K-12 green school criteria that had recently been developed by the state and local utilities.

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Challenge:

LAUSD Facilities executives were skeptical of the CHPS program and had done minimal work to implement the requirement. LAUSD was the first school district CHPS program. No CHPS implementation tools were available.

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Solution:

• Evaluate the preexisting effort

• Develop an implementation plan and the necessary tools, working with internal LAUSD stakeholders, the CHPS Board, a local nonprofit, and a newly appointed LAUSD external stakeholder committee

• Launch the program focusing on new schools in early in design

• Ensure compliance by incorporating the CHPS criteria into LAUSD’s quality control process

• Regularly report the results

• Institutionalize CHPS by adding the requirements to LAUSD’s design standards and construction specifications

Mission:

Develop clear and readily evaluated and ranked RFP Evaluation Sustainability Criteria for Van Nuys Airport (VNY) on and off-airport commercial and aeronautical leases. LAWA requested impactful measures addressing a wide range of topics. 

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Challenge:

The scope’s general language needed further definition to ensure the utility of the final product. LAWA staff needed guidance on the opportunities, options and challenges in a fast-moving field. 

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Solution:

• Collect typical lease language for VNY and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), also owned by LAWA 

• Research sustainability criteria for other airports and public agencies

• Clarify the approach and priorities 

• Develop the Criteria format and then the specific criteria

Mission:

Redevelop and enlarge the Miramar Santa Monica into 500,000 sf of hotel, condominiums and retail.

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Challenge:

Redevelop an existing hotel in a city with a famously difficult entitlement process and demanding sustainability requirements. Evolving energy and sustainability best practices and city and state code and LEED certification requirements over a multiyear entitlement process. LEED Platinum requirement. 

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Solution:

Keep client and design team up to date on new and proposed city and state sustainability code and LEED requirements. Work with the project team on sustainability strategies and solutions. Analyze feasibility of key requirements, such as LEED Platinum. Keep up to date on available Help ensure city staff is comfortable with the project's direction. Appear at public hearings as needed.