As part of its role as Owner’s Technical Representative for the New Indianapolis Airport, Blackburn Architects has spearheaded the Project’s sustainable design program.

Since 2004, Blackburn Architects has coordinated and administered the Project’s efforts to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. LEED is a certification program of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) that promotes integrated design and sustainable building practices to maximize both economic and environmental performance. The LEED Rating System provides a definitive yardstick for measuring “green building.” By satisfying specific performance criteria, a project scores credit points toward LEED Certification.

At the Airport, Blackburn has coordinated activities of a team of over 70 multidisciplinary design firms and consultants, three construction management firms, and contractors working under over 130 separate construction contracts to ensure the Project’s positive impact on the environment. Blackburn has worked to compile the documentation required for application to the USGBC’s LEED Certification program.

Blackburn Architects has applied many LEED principles to promote environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, occupant comfort and well-being, and community sensitivity. Sustainable site development avoids damaging the surrounding environment and reduces the impact of automobile traffic. Careful landscape and systems design reduces load on utility infrastructures. Optimizing efficient building systems reduces energy use. The use of sustainable building products and construction practices promotes recycled and locally produced materials and diverts waste from landfills. Indoor contaminant control and effective lighting and ventilation systems ensure a safe and productive working environment for building occupants. Innovative approaches to high-performance design and construction introduce new sustainability options.

Blackburn Architects is an active member of the USGBC and promotes the use of environmentally sound and sustainable materials and practices wherever possible. Blackburn’s overall goals in incorporating LEED are to construct environmentally sound projects; to provide new opportunities for local companies and contractors to participate in LEED projects; and to raise general environmental awareness in the local community.