SETTING A STANDARD IN SACRAMENTO:

ONE THIRD OF LIONAKIS BEAUMONT DESIGN GROUP STAFF IS LEED ACCREDITED

Forty-six staff members of Sacramento-based Lionakis Beaumont Design Group Inc. have received professional accreditation by the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design program. LBDG encompasses four disciplines -- architecture, structural engineering, interior design and planning.

LBDG has LEED certification for its entire technical staff and incorporating sustainable design in each project among its five-year goals.

"As a design firm, it is our responsibility to let our clients know that sustainable design strategies can be incorporated regardless of project type or budget," said Shelly Dildey, project designer and a member of LBDG's sustainable committee. "Not only does sustainable design conserve increasingly diminishing and costly natural resources, it provides immediate value for owners by lowering operating costs."

Didley said that for users the strategies address indoor air-quality issues that increase worker health and productivity.

"I see Sacramento eventually being on par with cities like Portland and Seattle that demand environmentally friendly building designs and LBDG would like to be the firm to help Sacramento meet the challenge of implementing sustainable design," said Jennifer Wehling, project architect and a member of LBDG's sustainable committee.

Established in 1908, LBDG is Sacramento's oldest and largest architectural firm. LBDG has recently completed the Sacramento River Water Intake Structure and the innovative Alder Creek Middle School in Truckee, one of two California schools to receive the Collaborative for High Performance School (CHPS) Grant for it's energy efficiency and sustainable design.