By Lookout Staff

February 21 -- David Hertz, principal of David Hertz AIA Architects in Santa Monica, is the recipient of a City’s first “green building” design grant for his Studio of Environmental Architecture’s new office.

The recipient of a $35,000 grant, the Studio EA building features high-tech lighting systems, two types of solar electric systems, natural ventilation strategies, permeable paving and a demonstration living roof, according to Santa Monica’s Environmental Programs Division.

Its cutting edge sustainable features earned it a Platinum certification -- the highest level possible -- from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the green building rating system created by the US Green Building Council, environmental officials said.

“David Hertz has long been a leader in green building and has designed many cutting-edge, environmentally conscious buildings over the years,” said a statement released by the City. “It is no surprise, then, that he would choose to push the limits of green design in building a new office to house his own Studio of Environmental Architecture.”

Studio EA’s grant is the first of ten the City of Santa Monica will issue to LEED NC-certified private sector projects in the city, officials said. Grant awards range from $20,000 for a basic LEED certification to $35,000 for LEED Platinum.

“The City’s grant really made a difference in allowing me to go farther with green design on this building,” Hertz said.

In addition to grants, the City will expedite new construction projects that are certified under any of the LEED certification programs, including LEED for Homes, said Greg Reitz, the City’s Green Building Advisor.

“The early adopters of the LEED rating system have already pushed Santa Monica into the forefront of green building in the country,” Reitz said. “We are proud to have leaders like David Hertz demonstrate what is possible by building green offices in Santa Monica.

“The grants and other incentives have been created to help green building reach beyond these leaders to the mainstream,” he said.

Those interested in learning more about green building are invited to attend the city’s fourth annual AltBuild Expo on May18 and 19 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. A green building tour will follow on May 20.

For more information, visit www.altbuildexpo.com or the Green Building Resource Center, a partnership of the City of Santa Monica and non-profit Global Green, USA at 2218 Main Street, www.globalgreen.org/gbrc.