DLR Group released its fourth annual Environmental Stewardship Report on Earth Day, highlighting progress toward meeting the 2030 Challenge through building design. The report documents the estimated operational energy consumption, energy production, and energy optimization of DLR Group’s integrated designs in 2019, and highlights the firm’s achievements in advancing sustainable design during the past decade.

DLR Group’s average reduction target of predicted net Energy Use Intensity levels is based on performance data, and consistently exceeds its national peer group average. In 2019, the firm’s integrated design process resulted in a 53 percent pnEUI reduction compared to average buildings. The report also notes that more than one third of design projects tracked in 2019 were adaptive reuse or major renovation projects, further contributing to the embodied carbon savings by reusing existing buildings. 

“We’re proud of the work and commitment we see from our clients and our design teams in setting the bar higher each year to achieve our 2030 Challenge goals,” said DLR Group Senior Principal, Prem Sundharam, AIA, who also leads the firm’s global sustainability efforts. “With over 70 projects designed to meet the 2030 challenge metrics, we’re excited to tell our sustainable design story.  

DLR Group continues to strengthen its core value of environmental stewardship through a variety of internal initiatives including material transparency efforts; developing workshop tools for zero net energy, net positive water, and biophilic design. Building on its mass timber expertise throughout North America, DLR Group is highlighting “carbon as the common denominator” in integrated design conversations with clients across the U.S.