Frequently Asked Questions

We work on commercial, institutional and industrial projects.

There is no minimum project size. RBGB services can be applied to projects of any size.

In all instances where the services of RBGB are engaged, there will be a formal Letter Agreement for Professional Services signed by both parties.

Once a scope of work is established and understood, we typically provide a fixed fee for our services. In instances where the scope is not yet defined or open ended, we can engage on an hourly basis and establish a not to exceed cost ceiling.

Yes, RBGB carries full professional liability insurance.

RBGB is Limited Liability Corporation (s-Corp) licensed in the State of Georgia.

No, RBGB is not an engineering design firm.

A green building has measurably reduced energy and water consumption, minimal environmental impact, and better indoor air quality when compared to a conventional building. Currently, the primary benchmark for a green building is certification under the LEED Green Building Rating System. However, LEED certification is not mandatory to define a green building. RBGB maintains that the ultimate high-performance building achieves Net Zero Energy status.

There are many definitions, but a popular one is “a building that over the course of a year produces the same or more energy than it consumes.” This is a major focus of study, research and development for RBGB.

Yes, our focus is exclusively on high performance green building design, construction, study, and operation. Our scope of services is broad, however, and we take pride in our ability to deliver measurable performance improvements regardless of budgetary constraints.

If you suspect that energy is being wasted an energy audit makes good sense. An energy audit identifies where dollars and energy are wasted and provides feedback on ways to improve the performance of your building. It establishes a benchmark of current building performance. Following an energy audit, RBGB, can help create a roadmap for making improvements.

We provide guidance that helps team members become knowledgeable in the field of sustainability. We share our knowledge of high-performance buildings, walk team members through the documentation process, and facilitate creative and innovative concepts to apply to building design and construction activities.

We also offer expert management and oversight of the documentation process to free up project members to focus on their discipline. Our services take much of the documentation and input activities from the design team. In addition to assisting with conceptual development, we also provide technical expertise such as energy modeling as a design tool, water use calculations, daylight and acoustic analysis, energy code compliance review, etc. and act as a third-party advocate to track that the owner’s project requirements are met and documented.

Besides providing green building expertise, we focus on overseeing all the paperwork parts, input calculations as necessary, resolution of problems, and communicate with the reviewing agency so that other team members can remain focused on their individual disciplines. As project teams become more knowledgeable of procedure, RBGB’s role decreases proportionally.

Why not, since it can be cost effectively achieved and produce a noticeably better building that has healthier indoor environments, lower operating costs, efficient energy and water systems, lower emissions, is durable and with increased market and social value. The green building process focuses on the design process such that energy efficiency, water use, material selection, and the improved indoor quality for those working and living in the building. The prevailing paradigm of conventional building design does not consider the long-term consequences of design stage decisions. Green buildings do.

A green building can be built within budget and result in lower energy and operating costs every year. Green buildings have been shown to increase occupant productivity, reduce absenteeism, attract higher rents, have higher market value, and allow owners a competitive advantage over “business as usual” developments.

Well, it depends…The underlying goal of our activities is to significantly reduce energy consumption in a building resulting in a reduction of operating costs. RBGB has experience with zero and near-net zero energy buildings and we look at individual project circumstances and returns on investment to help establish energy target opportunities. Most rating systems require a minimum of 10% energy improvement; however, we have found that 20% to 30% improvement is readily achievable and that energy improvements over 50% are strong, do-able goals for many high-performance building projects.

Start the process by giving us a call. Every building has its own set of unique opportunities for sustainability improvements that can range from no-cost/low-cost measures to extreme green makeovers. The first step would be a survey of your building to assess current conditions. From this assessment, efficiency opportunities will emerge, and these will be identified, costed, documented, prioritized and a plan of action for next steps will be developed with the owner.

In order to determine if it can be a LEED building, there needs to be an assessment of the scope of the project, determination of which LEED Rating System to pursue, a review of the LEED prerequisites, and a determination if the project meets the minimum program requirements of the LEED Rating System. Not every building meets these minimum program requirements. However, most buildings qualify for LEED certification and ALL buildings qualify for energy efficiency and environmental improvements.

It can be a difficult task, but there are options. One step is to take measures to improve those areas you have control of such as energy use (user behavior), purchasing practices, transportation plans, and office procedures. If the space is being totally renovated or you are just moving in, LEED for Interior Design and Construction (LEED-ID&C) could be an option. If the landlord controls energy and utility bills you may want to have him or her contact us to determine if whole building improvements and/or sustainable facility management practices can benefit the owner. Give us a call and we can strategize.

As building performance data emerges, findings have shown that many buildings, some lauded with green certifications, are not performing very well. To maintain sustainable performance over time, it is necessary to address the ongoing facility management operations of the facility. That is why the operation function has gained prominence.

One of the biggest challenges to green building growth among developers is the perceived notion that any green building premium benefits the user and not the developer. Green buildings do not have the high cost increases typically assumed (most are 0% to 3% premiums). Several papers published on the subject have found that green buildings can capture rental premiums anywhere from 3-6 percent above similar non-certified buildings and typically average 8-10 percent higher occupancy levels and have a higher market value than similar non-certified buildings. Furthermore, there is a strong awareness in the public sector regarding the benefits and value of a high-performance green building, and, furthermore, many governing authorities are labeling building based on performance. We would love to discuss the potential for developers to profitably deliver and market green buildings.

The answer is now. Let’s have that discussion. We recommend introducing green building strategies at the earliest stage. The earlier in the process that green building strategies are introduced the lower the first cost.