Below are some of the key sustainability measures we incorporate into our projects that align with and support broader policy goals:
Energy Efficiency:
Energy Reach Code and Building Decarbonization
FGA advised on and continues to support Palo Alto’s Energy Reach Code, which incentivizes all-electric new residential construction, eliminating the carbon footprint associated with natural gas. Space heating and cooling are provided by inverter-driven VRF (variable refrigerant flow) heat pumps, while heat-pump water heaters located in basements recycle excess heat from within the building envelope. Many projects also include a 10 kW roof-mounted photovoltaic system to offset grid electricity use.
To further reduce emissions, EV chargers are installed so homeowners can drive on carbon-neutral electricity—either from their own PV systems or the city’s clean energy grid. Palo Alto’s municipal code now requires all new single-family homes to be EV-ready, with proper conduit and electrical service panels in place. Because retrofitting for EVs is costly and invasive, this code makes electric transportation far easier to adopt.
Deconstruction and Recycling of Demolition Materials
Before demolition, FGA often commissions deconstruction surveys to identify opportunities for material salvage and reuse. In many Bay Area projects, where old-growth framing and other irreplaceable materials are common, deconstruction can be both financially and environmentally advantageous. More than 80% of demolition and subsequent construction waste can typically be diverted from landfills and recycled at local facilities, significantly reducing embodied carbon.
Recycled Content in New Materials
To support the recycling industry and reduce embodied emissions, FGA often allocates a portion of each project’s construction budget to materials containing recycled content. This includes post-industrial recycled materials such as fly ash and slag in concrete, cotton batt insulation, recycled window glass and frames, and interior finish materials like countertops.
Indoor Environmental Quality
We take particular care to ensure healthy indoor air quality. All paints, caulks, sealants, and coatings used in our projects meet or exceed the Clean Air Act’s VOC standards, even for regions with poor baseline air quality. Because natural ventilation alone is not always sufficient in tightly sealed homes, we frequently integrate mechanical systems with heat-recovery ventilation in sleeping areas to ensure continuous delivery of clean, filtered air.
Boards and Advisory Groups
Setting a positive example through our clients’ homes is important, but enacting lasting environmental change requires policy engagement. FGA’s leadership actively serves on several advisory boards and professional groups to help shape the future of sustainable building in California.
CABEC (California Association of Building Energy Consultants)
Board Member, 2018–2025
CABEC is the leading trade organization for energy consultants who perform energy modeling, produce compliance documentation, and advise architects on best practices for sustainable design.
Palo Alto Green BuildingTechnical Advisory Group
This technical group advises the City of Palo Alto on developing model policies and toolkits that other municipalities can adopt to advance green building. The group’s work has already informed codes in several neighboring cities.
Palo Alto Utilities Energy Reach Code Advisor
At the heart of Palo Alto’s green-building policy is its Energy Reach Code, an extension of the city’s Climate Action Plan. FGA provides technical guidance to city staff on the policy’s more complex and nuanced provisions, ensuring that the code remains both rigorous and practical.
California Building Decarbonization Coalition Member
This statewide group engages with the California Energy Commission and Public Utilities Commission to shape proceedings and rule-making that promote building decarbonization. The coalition works to remove regulatory barriers and advocate for enabling legislation through coordinated lobbying and bill sponsorship.
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Reach Code Collaborator
Regional utilities are forming partnerships with municipalities, environmental organizations, builders, and architects to develop local energy reach codes that surpass statewide efficiency standards. With extensive design and construction experience, FGA provides a critical practitioner’s perspective in these collaborative efforts.
Water Efficiency and Site Permeability
Our landscapes are designed to minimize irrigation through the use of native and drought-tolerant plants paired with efficient irrigation systems. Hardscapes are often designed for permeability, allowing rainwater to recharge local aquifers naturally. Many projects also incorporate greywater infrastructure, such as “laundry-to-landscape” systems, to simplify the reuse of recycled water.
