SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN
Amherst College, Aliki Perroti & Seth Frank Lyceum
OVERVIEW
This action plan is an evolving guide to achieving collective success, holding us accountable as stewards of our natural environment and human health
01 COMPANY COMMITMENT
Our commitment is an affirmation of our responsibility as architects and a reflection on how B/C is poised to make a positive impact.
02 DESIGN + APPROACH
This guidebook outlines B/C project structure, processes, and support to achieve our sustainability goals
03 GOAL SETTING, REPORTING, + EVALUATION
All B/C projects will have two tiers of goals: baseline and project-specific goals. Project-specific goals will be set with the help of the Sustainability Working Group and/or a Partner. Metrics for all projects will be shared with the entire firm every year.
04 TRAINING + EDUCATION
B/C supports staff growth in sustainable design principles through monthly project sharing, quarterly internal sessions, seminar and conference attendance, B/C project site visits, and internal mentorship.
05 OUTREACH + ADVOCACY
B/C sustainable design practices are communicated to clients and to the public.
06 OPERATIONS + OUTLOOK
B/C commits to measuring the environmental impact of our design practice outside the impact of the built work.
OUR COMMITMENT
Bruner/Cott asserts that design is a positive, aspirational act that can address key challenges of our time including climate change and human well-being. We recognize our responsibility as architects, as our design actions carry enormous capacity to protect and improve the human condition and ecological systems.
We are experts in reuse; we cherish the quality of our natural, cultural, and built environments, unafraid to transform buildings to meet current needs. We create opportunities in new construction to innovate and promote positivity through novel design. We make design decisions based on scientific data and follow the Precautionary Principle. We strive to reduce climate impact in our buildings, protect the natural environment, and create healthy environments for the humans that inhabit them.
This is Bruner/Cott’s Sustainability Action Plan: an evolving guide to achieving collective success, holding us accountable for our work. The plan fosters a working environment that empowers and inspires our co-workers to create built environments that enhance the communities we serve and live amongst.
To achieve sustainability in our practice, we recognize a need for clarity, documentation, instruction, and inspiration.
This plan:
• sets environmental and health goals for the outcomes of our design work and our operations
• specifies practices that advance our design skills
• promotes sharing of our knowledge
• creates a healthy and collaborative work environment
• will be updated every year by the Sustainability Working Group
2025 ACTIONS:
• Review the Company Commitment with the Sustainability Working Group and revise as necessary
Hampshire College, R.W. Kern Center
DESIGN, APPROACH, AND GOVERNANCE
1. A B/C Sustainability Working Group Co-Chair shall be assigned appropriately on all projects.
2. B/C has a “Project Timeline” + QA/QC process that includes sustainability goalsetting and follow-through.
3. Proposals and Business Development:
• Consultant selection will consider sustainability strengths.
• We state the B/C baseline + aspirational sustainability goals in all our pursuits.
• Incorporate sustainability activities and consultants into design fee.
4. All projects will set sustainability goals and methods for measuring success. See Chapter 04.
2025 ACTIONS:
• Formalize written Sustainability Working Group assignments.
• Review and complete the B/C Project Timeline in conjunction with the B/C QA/QC Working Group
• Review and revise baseline language in proposals with the B/C marketing team.
GOAL SETTING, REPORTING, AND EVALUATION
All B/C projects will have two tiers of reporting goals: baseline goals and project specific goals. Project specific goals will be set with the help of the Sustainability Working Group and/or a Partner. Metrics for all projects will be shared with the entire firm every year.
B/C Baseline practices:
1. Include owners and key consultants in goal setting exercises.
2. Use 2030 targets (Zero Tool) to present a compliant EUI target to the client by Concept (or SD if no Concept Phase exists).
3. Set embodied carbon targets and measure at SD and DD.
4. FSC/PEFC or New England / QC sourced wood (or a local wood alternative).
5. Require EPDs for all major structural elements and finishes.
6. Require low VOC products based on USGBC current LEED requirements.
7. Require 80% construction waste diversion from landfill.
8. Collect post-construction data for two years including:
• User evaluations
• Energy metering
• Water use metering
2025 ACTIONS:
• Organize a Zero Tool Training Session.
• Engage Kalin Associates to review and update B/C wood and EPD specification language.
• Create a template for post construction data collection and design a reporting spreadsheet.
Lesley University, Lunder Arts Center
INTERNAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION
B/C supports staff growth in sustainable design principles through monthly project sharing (Third Thursday), attendance at conferences, B/C project site visits, and internal mentorship.
B/C’s internal training / education includes:
1. Sharing upcoming conferences and membership / certification opportunities
• Sustainability Working Group Co-Chairs share the calendar of events regularly at all office meetings.
• B/C hosts a firm-wide directory of certifications and strengths.
• Certification and participation are included in bi-annual review conversations.
2. Encouraging staff to present experience from conferences or certifications to firm within a month of attendance.
3. 4 sessions a year (lunch or end of day) curated by the Sustainability Working Group focused on energy, carbon, health, water, and/or waste.
4. Consistent project work plans and lessons learned that are easily accessible and can be used as precedents for other projects.
2025 ACTIONS:
• Develop a calendar with the Manager of Marketing.
• Develop firm directory strategy with the Manager of Marketing.
• Update the review template with the Director of Operations.
• Set the 2025 curated session schedule.
• Create the template for project data, plans, and lessons learned.
Harvard University, Richard A. & Susan F. Smith Campus Center
OUTREACH, ADVOCACY, AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING
B/C sustainable design practices are communicated to clients and to the public through:
• Website
• Conferences
• Publications
• Marketing Materials
• Social Media
B/C will expand opportunities to share through:
• Standardized presentation strategies, automated from metrics/reporting section.
• Dedicated space on the website for sustainability initiatives.
• Support staff with flexible hours to pursue teaching and mentorship, and support seminar and conference attendance.
2025 ACTIONS:
• Review Sustainability space on the B/C website and coordinate edits to the Manager of Marketing.
• Develop consistent project statistics and graphics in conjunction with the project data template from Chapter 04.
Macalester College, Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship
OPERATION AND OUTLOOK
1. Impact Measurement: B/C commits to measuring the environmental impact of our design practice outside the impact of the built work. In 2023, we reviewed multiple impact calculators and selected Climate Smart by Radicle as a program to help measure the impact of our operations. In Fall 2025, we will revisit this process with the goal of designing a plan to identify what we have the capability to reduce. This process will be led by the Director of Operations, with oversight by the Sustainability Directors. Results will be shared annually.
2. Office Environment: B/C is committed to design and issue an annual office-wide survey to assess our physical space as it pertains to comfort, health, professional support, culture, and local economy. The Sustainability Working Group will review the results with the Partners and plan for modifications as necessary. The results will be shared annually with the entire firm.
2025 ACTIONS:
• Engage Radicle in the fall and determine if B/C can engage their services.
• Coordinate with the firm to design the annual survey.
© 2025 Bruner/Cott Architects
