Due to our green purchasing, energy, transportation, water and waste management practices, Allen Associates was one of the first two businesses certified through Santa Barbara County’s Green Business Program.
Our Green Offices
The same green features you get from Allen Associates on your building project can be found in our offices.
In 2010, we purchased and remodeled a building (originally constructed in the 1940’s) on Milpas Street. To make the building more energy efficient, we added insulation in the attic and walls where there was none; increased natural lighting using sola tubes and skylights; installed energy efficient LED lighting fixtures, and refurbished the heating system. To reduce our water consumption, we installed high efficiency toilets, including a waterless urinal, in the restrooms and a drought tolerant landscape in our parking lot. To further reduce our environmental footprint and improve indoor air quality for our employees, we incorporated building materials made of renewable resources that do not emit formaldehyde or other volatile organic compounds into the air. Green products include reclaimed oak floors, and cabinets, countertops, and desks made of urban salvaged acacia, bamboo, sunflower board (an agricultural waste product), Richlite (recycled paper and resin), and Lyptus (a fast growing Brazilian hardwood). We also installed a 5 kW photovoltaic system that supplies 40% of the total energy needs of the office.
In 2006, we remodeled our Ventura office to improve its energy and water efficiency as well as its indoor air quality. Features include bamboo flooring, skylights, a dual flush toilet, a table and desks made of bamboo, and countertops made of Paperstone, a recycled paper product.
Encouraging Our Employees to Walk and Pedal
In January 2005, we adopted an alternative transportation policy that encourages employees to bike, walk, take the bus, drive a high mileage vehicle, carpool, ride an electric scooter, gas scooter, or motorcycle to work. It also motivates them to work at home.