We are at the forefront of sustainable construction in the 21st century.
Columbia collaborates with clients to achieve our common objective of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. We are eager to use business to protect nature and our relationship with it by building projects that contribute to cleaner air, water, and soil.
As best practices in sustainability and renewable energy evolve, Columbia employees learn and grow their careers with training and continuing education support. We have successfully achieved certification for a variety of sustainability ratings, including LEED Platinum, Gold, and Silver Certifications, WELL Building Certification, Green Globes Certification, and Net Zero Energy Buildings.
In addition to our LEED services, Columbia's Energy Division specializes in providing building performance assessment services. Our team identifies available financial incentives and rebates and implements integrated energy conservation solutions and energy efficient and sustainable measures.
Columbia acknowledges responsibility for our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and supports a low-carbon economy transition. We are always working to make Columbia a better and more sustainable company. We do this through company-wide initiatives that promote positive changes that reduce carbon emissions and increase individual employee and overall environmental health.
Some example initiatives include:
- 35% of Columbia’s annual electrical energy use is cleanly generated by our 87 kW Rooftop Solar PV array (designed and built by Columbia, of course!)
- Free Electric Vehicle charging for all employees and guests
- Shared Electric Vehicle program to reduce emissions
- LED temp lighting required on all jobsites
- LEED compliant Indoor Air Quality management required on all jobsites (not just LEED projects!)
- HEPA filters for personal health in jobsite offices
- First Boston-area contractor to join Building Green’s Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Building Practices
- Public supporter of Massachusetts’ adoption of a Net Zero Stretch Code
- Columbia is actively engaged in improving construction recycling across the industry
Sustainable Expertise
Columbia is an expert administrator of LEED projects and is continuously involved in multiple LEED projects at any given time.
View all of our LEED certified projects and link to project details.
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Columbia continues to lower its carbon emissions by increasing EV charging spots by 50% and increasing the preferred parking for EVs by 300%! Columbia is continuing our support of the transition to sustainable transportation. Sustainable, energy-saving strategies are at the foundation of many projects today: they make sense both for clients and for the world-at-large. But energy-efficiency is also important during the build project. The decision was made. I am committed to becoming a WELL Accredited Professional. Now that I’ve studied and prepared for the exam, I will walk the plank...ready to sink or swim! Did I do enough? What strategies did I use? Am I feeling confident? Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities completes first-of-its-kind HouseZero lab and prototype. HouseZero’s advanced data-driven infrastructure will enable cutting edge research and aims to shift the design and operation of buildings. The Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (CGBC) at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) announced the completion of HouseZero, the retrofitting of its headquarters in a pre-1940s building in Cambridge into an ambitious living-laboratory and an energy-positive prototype for ultra-efficiency that will help them to understand buildings in new ways. I have my friend Blake to thank for challenging me to become a WELL Accredited Professional. Follow my journey in a three part blog series as I study for the WELL Accredited Professional Exam and learn best practices in our industry for creating healthy building projects, both in relation to impacts on the health of our planet, and on the health of our teams. The new field headquarters for the Massachusetts’ Division of Fisheries & Wildlife is a 3-story facility of approximately 45,000 sf. Containing office space, classroom facilities, multi-purpose meeting room space, reception area, a library, along with storage and support areas, it will accommodate 120 people and provide flexibility for consolidation or future growth.
August 7, 2019
Sun-Powered Driving
March 14, 2019
Columbia Supports Field Employees Use of Electric Vehicles
January 17, 2019
LED Temp Lighting as Default Columbia Standard
January 10, 2019
WELL Blog Series Part II: The Leadup to the WELL Exam
December 5, 2018
Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities
December 4, 2018
Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities Unveils HouseZero Lab
September 26, 2018
WELL Blog Series Part I: Introduction to the WELL Building Standard
Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters
