Generative impacts

We care deeply about the world next generations will inherit and know that decisions made about the built environment today will have a major impact on their future. A better building industry is better for the world and for our clients. Every project is an opportunity to transform the industry.

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Materials initiative

We want every material choice in our industry to be a good choice. Since this effort is bigger than any one firm, we need project owners and other design firms to work with us to change the marketplace. We have developed guidelines around transparency, sustainability, and health for our own materials library, including a one-page handout that communicates our criteria for product sales reps and a training guide for design staff. Please use the form above to receive a copy of the Sustainable Materials Action Packet.

Embodied Carbon in Commercial Furniture

In current architectural practice, embodied carbon modeling methods typically include structural and architectural design features, which raises the following questions: How much data is missing on the impact of commercial furniture? How might an accurate accounting change the perception of furniture and carbon in the design and construction industry? This new research report introduces a case study and the embodied carbon in furniture calculator tool (available to download above as part of the “MSR Design Sustainability Tracker”).  The report also offers new baselines for measuring the carbon footprint of commercial furniture.

Sustainability measures in our drawing set

While architects and interior designers are increasingly designing buildings to meet high performance goals, performance metrics are often buried in spreadsheets where they are not being shared. MSR Design has created a sustainability metrics template sheet that gets incorporated into a project’s drawing set to convey performance intent in a more standardized way. Please use the form above to receive a copy of the MSR Design Sustainability Tracker.

Measurable progress

Great design is both art and science. Our research and project initiatives focus on making progress with specific metrics—including net-zero energy, net-zero water, healthy and sustainable building materials, and human well-being—all in balance with beauty and the experiential. Our goal is to measure the results of each initiative on every project so that we can continue to improve the world and the lives of our clients.

 

MSR Design’s Just 2.0 Label

As part of the firm’s focus on sustainability, equity, and designing for generative impacts, MSR Design is participating in ILFI’s Just 2.0 label disclosure tool program. A nutrition label for socially just and equitable organizations, Just provides a transparency platform for organizations to disclose their operations, including how they treat their employees and where they make financial and community investments. MSR Design’s Just label documents our level of performance in the areas of diversity and inclusion, equity, employee health, employee benefits, stewardship, and purchasing and supply chain.

MSR Design’s LBC petal certified studio

MSR Design’s 510 Marquette Studio has achieved Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal Certification for the materials, beauty, and equity petals. In this video, project team members from MSR Design and Stahl Construction discuss the process and impact of designing and constructing our new studio to meet the ambitious LBC Petal Certification requirements.

Learn more about specific design features we incorporated into our new studio to achieve LBC level generative impacts.

Interested in experiencing our new space? Contact info@msrdesign.com to schedule a live virtual tour.

Next Design

A Forum for Ideas | Interchange | Inspiration

The MSR Design-hosted Next Design forum speaker series features recognized thought leaders. During these forums, we invite experts to share ideas on a variety of topics related to design and engage in lively dialogues with attendees. 

We invite you to watch video recordings of past Next Design forum events.

Sustainable design achievements

Awards

LBC Petal Certification

LEED Certified Projects

Minnesota B3 Projects

Work with us

We’re always looking for talented, passionate people.