FIRM PROFILE

Sustainabilty and green building have arrived. High energy costs, productivity improvements,  climate change and incentives have led to the widespread recognition of the value of going green. Also key has been the emergence of the LEED and CHPS green building rating systems, the latter focused on K-12 schools. Green has gone beyond being just a trend: cities and even states are rapidly adopting green building mandates and the market is fast recognizing that being green is both responsible and pays fiscal dividends.

Zinner Consultants is in a unique position to assist clients in identifying and implementing green strategies. Founded in 1990, we were at the forefront of the sustainability movement. Our longevity means our solutions are informed by a vast index of knowledge and real world application. Our expertise is not limited to a single aspect of sustainable design, but extends from public policy to the greening of individual projects. We create city-wide sustainability programs and green general plans; we also manage the process of incorporating sustainable design, including LEED and CHPS, into master planned communities and capital programs, as well as individual offices, high rise housing, schools, museums, libraries and other buildings.

The origins of our firm are in founder John Zinner's background in urban planning and his prior work in government, both as staff and as a planning commissioner. Zinner Consultants represents a natural progression of John's decades-long commitment to environmental issues on an urban scale. His public policy experience is a critical strength that allows John to speak to such issues both strategically and practically.  

On the macro level, our role in public policy includes creation of sustainble development strategies anc citywide programs.  These efforts range from the establishment of green building criteria to incorporating sustainability principals, goals and guidelines into general plans. Our partners in these efforts are city planners and elected officials, as well as developers, business and residents.  We also manage environmental mitigation programs; our keystone effort is Playa Vista, a 500-acre mixed use project on the west side of Los Angeles. On the micro level, our experience has afforded us the opportunity to develop a logical approach to sustainable design and the green building certification process, which is highly technical.  

Our methodology is systematic in order to assure accuracy, accountability and success. Green design must take into consideration budget, program, technical and construction realities. And, while LEED and CHPS certification are invaluable, we see these programs as tools within the broad discipline of sustainable design.  

Zinner Consultants aims for better green design focusing on strategic investments that create long term value for our clients, building occupants and the environment. We accomplish this by providing tested expertise and leadership to guide collaborative, innovative and practical decision making. Given the pace of emerging resources, need and desire, there is little lmiit to what can be accomplished.  

Our hope is that we inspire our clients and project partners to create the greenest environments possible.