Sustainable design is hardly a new idea. Often lost in discussions about green technology are simple insights that are centuries old, such as orienting structures to the sun and wind, using locally sourced materials, and fitting into the natural landscape.

Sustainable design should merge a range of ideas—new and old, complex and elementary—to realize the greatest benefits for users and the planet. This philosophy has been part of SALA since the firm’s inception. Our design choices are guided by a unique context: climate, geography, heritage, community, and budget, as well as the impact on environmental and human health. By considering the whole, we can satisfy our client’s goals in creative ways, many that aren’t necessarily more costly.

SALA has architects on staff trained in LEED, MN Greenstar, and Green Built Home, and a growing number of our projects have been certified by these programs. A showcase for many of our best sustainable practices, SALA created a certified LEED-Platinum home prototype that is “net zero,” meaning it uses no more energy in a year than it produces.