The City of Brisbane, California, is extremely focused on environmental sustainability. Located due south of San Francisco at the base of the San Bruno Mountains, Brisbane has seen its share of industrial development in the past. So city officials felt an obligation to “walk the talk” when it came to environmental action, and were among the first municipalities to adopt a comprehensive Climate Action Plan.

Berkeley citizens voted in a public bond measure for the construction of Berkeley Public Library’s West Branch. To win over Berkeley voters, the library had to reflect the community’s sustainability values. To do so, it was be designed to meet demanding environmental standards, including large windows and long, operable skylights to limit the need for artificial light.

Map data: Google, Landsat / Copernicus

A modern and innovative solution to a chronic parking shortage in West Hollywood, the the Automated Garage and Community Center project had to meet the strict environmental environmental standards of the California Environmental Quality Act. Being automated, the garage makes highly efficient use of space, stacking cars and moving them around the structure mechanically.

San Diego's North County Transit District put out a request for tenders on a ground mounted solar system robust enough to meet the environmental demands of a SPRINTER rail station. This was part of a feasibility study into utilizing railway right-of-way land for solar power generation.