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Sustainable Design

Committed to a greener build.

The ability to transform the built environment comes with a responsibility for smart, sustainable design.

Our work

We are committed to helping our project partners arrive at cost-effective design solutions that employ sustainable design practices – whether aiming for specific certifications such as LEED® Design or the Living Building Pilot Program, or just simply helping to make this planet a little bit greener… DCI is here for it.

We believe high-performance structures must also demonstrate environmental, social, and economic responsibility, and we are constantly exploring how structural systems impact embodied carbon, material sourcing and other sustainability factors. DCI often leverages such tools and programs as Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), green program metrics and Mass Timber data and performance to assist in these efforts.

*per Architecture 2030 https://architecture2030.org/n...

Our Values

DCI isn’t just focused on building something tangible, but also building a culture that embraces diverse ideas, equality, and celebrates the individual stories of our employees. We believe diversity drives innovation in an environment that is designed to help employees grow.

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Philanthropy

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Sustainability

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Equity & Diversity

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While DCI is proud to help build within our communities, sometimes a new building just isn’t enough. Helping change the built environment comes with a responsibility to help the people who are a part of it – as well as to the men and women who are entering the industry. Learn More

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As the AEC industry works toward greener building solutions, engineers have an unprecedented opportunity to create impactful change by way of the structure. Learn how DCI is focused on a better, more sustainable future.

Icon for Equity & Diversity

DCI is focused on building something tangible. We're looking to build a culture that embraces diverse ideas, equality, and celebrates the individual stories of our employees. Learn more.

Sliding panel ECAP link for sustainability values page

SE 2050

DCI Engineers is a signatory firm for the Structural Engineers 2050 Commitment Program, which was developed by the Sustainability Committee of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

We're committed to understanding, reducing and ultimately eliminating embodied carbon in our projects by 2050.

DCI's Commitment to a More Sustainable Future


With 11% of global carbon emissions coming from building materials & construction, structural engineers have an unprecedented opportunity and responsibility to change that number.


As engineers, we can make impactful change by way of the structure, providing one that will outlive the many cycles of tenant improvements and building system upgrades for years to come.


But change doesn't happen within a silo. It requires education at all levels and buy-in from project partners. Thankfully, sustainable design is possible, and its implementation is becoming more streamline with each year and every project.

Key Considerations

  • Material Re-Use Evaluation
  • Structural System Selection
  • Optimized Structural Designs to Reduce Material
  • Modular & Prefabricated Design
  • Mass Timber Design
  • Performance-Based Design
  • Embodied Carbon Optimization & Tracking
  • Deconstructability & Resiliency Considerations
  • Forest Stewardship Council certified Resources
  • BIM 3D Coordination
  • Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
  • Passive House Design/Foundation
  • Green Building Rating System Assistance
  • Living Building Design
Watershed

Earth Day Pledge

Timber Town

Award-Winning Project Concept Tackles Affordable Housing with Sustainable Solutions

Sustainable Design Leaders

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Ethan Martin

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Roger L. Heeringa

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Jessica Martinez