In addition to helping members meet their sustainable needs, A.R.E. is working to green our own operations. Here are some of our efforts.
OFFICE BUILDING
A.R.E. renovated the interior space of an existing office building. The
space does not hold any certifications, but it does incorporate sustainable elements:
• The site is close to some essential services, and many employees walk
from the office to lunch, banks, drycleaning, a grocery store, a
drugstore, and other errands.
• Shortly after A.R.E.'s move, the office building's condo association
invested in a state-of-the-art air conditioning control system designed
to minimize energy usage—a vital element in South Florida's warm
climate.
• Motion sensors were recently installed throughout the building for
automatic lighting control for even greater energy savings.
• Picture windows enable many staff members to illuminate their offices
solely through natural light, weather permitting. A.R.E. installed glass
panels on interior office walls to allow daylight to filter into the
interior cubicle space.
• In offices, windows enable views to the outdoors. One office with a
view was set aside as a break room so that employees who work in
cubicles would have access to an outdoor view at least during lunch and
breaks. Small birds occasionally flit in the tree just outside the break
room window.
• Shade trees integrated into the parking lot area accommodate squirrels
and other wildlife.
• A.R.E. is working with the building's condo association and facility
management to integrate green practices into the operations and
maintenance of the building.