Our commitment to the environment
Climate change is an existential threat. Architecture must be a response to climate change because the building industry contributes to nearly half of the carbon dioxide emission.
The United Nations recommends limiting global temperature rise by 2°C by reducing carbon emission by 80% by 2050. Participating countries in the 2015 Paris Climate Accord adopted these recommendations. In 2019, New York City codified it through the Climate Mobilization Act, which includes requiring large buildings to cap carbon emission or face fines (Local Law 97)
The environment always informs Paul A. Castrucci, Architects' (PCA) work. Our approach maximizes values to our clients while minimizing the budget impact. We integrate the Passive House design methodology, which drastically reduces energy consumption, complies with Local Law 97, and provides a healthy indoor environment
As part of the bigger picture, our work in low energy and Passive House buildings are part of the solution for mitigating CO2 emissions and climate change. Having completed NYC's first Certified Passive House + Net Zero capable building (R-951 Residence), and with our continued work on more than a dozen Passive House buildings - including the Community Arts organization ABC No Rio - we are recognized leaders in high-efficiency building design. We design buildings that will benefit generations to come, striving to deliver Net Zero buildings that are in sync with natural rhythms, benefitting from solar, shading and light, wind, and vegetative patterns - all while supporting the client's financial goals.
Our firm recognizes the perils of a changing climate, and our design approach responds to this reality on both the macro and micro levels. Within individual building projects, we understand the need to make smart decisions at the planning and specification stages to control costs, decrease maintenance, and increase the building's life.