Innovation

Construction involves a lot of materials, but materials like cement alone is the third largest industrial source of pollution. With climate change being a growing issue and renewable resources becoming more desirable, businesses are moving toward more sustainable practices. This is where DKAD tries to help change the infrastructure into a more "green" area. The business environment prides itself in being more green with trying to minimize energy production.

DKAD prides itself in its sustainable practices for construction projects. Goal 9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, its impact is designing sustainable infrastructure. Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, trying to minimize energy waste and monitors how much energy is being used overall. And Goal 13, Climate Action, trying to combat climate change is one of the basis of this business.

Inspiration

DKAD founder's passion for sustainability has always existed however starting the firm was never the initial intention.

Overall impact

The short term effects and the long term effects align: to minimize the carbon footprint. It is essentially designing the community's infrastructure to contribute to climate change prevention. The long term goal for the company is to reach Zero carbon emissions, Mr. Kopec stated that "every project to date has been designed to be at least 30% better than energy code minimum requirements." The office itself also leans towards more of a sustainable route.

For a 200sq ft office, it is entirely daylight and during the evening the staff uses LED task lights for illumination. Kopec said "This lighting accounts for .05w/sf. Utilizing a benchmark IESNA industry standard lighting power density of 1.1w/sf, this is a 95% reduction" (DKA). The office also practices other sustainable procedures such as reducing paper consumption by using software to replace paper documents and recycles paper, as well as cardboard.

Business benefit

It is what they are known for besides their beautiful work. Daniel Kopec mentioned in the interview that clients have approached them from the New Jersey Sustainability Registry. Proving that their innovative practices are helpful to the business. Also, the way the business operates for its clients is the same for the employees so the overall business' atmosphere reflects upon its reputation. Revenues were not stated however they do mention that sustainability raises their work prices.

DKA is involved in the construction process of the projects they design. For clients, they introduce new materials that are sustainable but the issue at hand is finding contractors who understand the science and educating them about these methods. As well as cost, clients will always try to save money and using sustainable materials generally increases their budget.

Social and environmental benefit

This innovation is beneficial to society for a simple reason: it's green. Hopefully other architect and construction firms are inspired by DKA and apply similar practices to their businesses so the infrastructure of the world is greener. This business strives for a Net Zero goal (cutting green house emissions down to zero). With every project being at least 30% better than energy code minimum requirements. They also have efficient mechanical systems, tankless domestic hot water heaters on all new construction, high performance windows imported from Europe that meet PassivHaus standards.

The innovation is energy efficient design strategies and introducing clients to new materials that are sustainable. As mentioned before, construction is an industry of pollution, however it is necessary because society needs infrastructure. Changing the basis of an industry's side effect into one that benefits the environment is necessary in today's climate, literally. DKA's methods are necessary.

Interview

Daniel Kopec, Ceo