ABOUT

Design Constructs was founded by Douglas McKean in 1992 to transform the way existing buildings are thought of as assets and is committed to renovations to make them carbon neutral, far exceeding current building standards and even LEED existing buildings.  In the words of the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy, “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decision-making on the next seven generations.”

Even if all new buildings were built to LEED Platinum standards the problems of our inefficient existing building stock would persist – minimizing the impact of those new initiatives – so without dealing with our existing buildings we are merely ‘rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic’.  That is why Design Constructs is committed to working with building owners to transform their existing buildings into energy efficient facilities to minimize their environmental footprint.

Design Constructs assists property and building owners in the successful completion of detailed project formulation processes – developing the right scope and the proper budget.  Our successful projects for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – the federal organization that is an authority on climate change – as well as many other clients, has proven that sustainable projects can be completed on time and on budget.

It matters not what the existing use is – retail, residential, housing, commercial office building, laboratory, parking garage - Design Constructs can demonstrate the environmental benefit and long term savings opportunities for any type of building which uses fossil fuels and typical grid electricity.  Determining which sustainability strategies would maximize your return on investment is what Design Constructs specializes in with regard to your existing buildings.

Design Constructs’ founder, Douglas McR. McKean, RA, RLA, LEED AP (BD+C) is an Architect and Landscape Architect who has dedicated the majority of his career to environmental stewardship through the renovation and restoration of existing buildings - as well as in the design of new construction.  He has spoken nationally about the reuse of existing buildings being the front line of sustainable design.  His expert witness testimony has resulted in positive outcomes for his clients in each case.  His experience in value engineering of projects has identified potential savings of hundreds of million of dollars.