Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet
When it comes to developing holistic design solutions for our clients and their projects, we’re “plugged in.” We capitalize on the greater ecosystem of sustainable design knowledge and research — as well as the most effective technologies, practices, and approaches — to meet the needs of our clients and communities and empower team members with the tools and expertise needed to realize better built environments.
The Power Beneath Our Feet
We’re plugged into community-centered projects that support health and wellness and leverage alternative energy solutions that advance climate action plans.
One of the projects designed by our team that demonstrates this approach is the CapEd Downtown Boise YMCA currently taking shape in Idaho’s capital city and planned for completion in late 2026.
The design focused on the YMCA’s mission to strengthen communities by developing successful youth, engaging people in healthy living, and instilling a commitment to social responsibility. As such, the design team and project partners continuously referenced this mission as a touchstone throughout development. Utilizing universal design principles, the new building will be a “barrier-free” YMCA with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and enjoyment for people of all generations.
One of the environmental highlights of this community-centered project is its ability to utilize the geothermal energy system that lies beneath the city in this downtown area. Boise’s geothermal system is one of the largest and oldest in the country, dating back to 1892. It’s an accessible, cost-effective energy solution that will be leveraged for the facility’s two heated pools, showers, and other non-consumptive domestic hot water needs.
Coming out of the ground at 177 degrees, the water from the system will be delivered to the building at 165-170 degrees. For the lap pool, it will heat 164,852 gallons of water and for the activity pool, it will heat another 82,754. The geothermal water will then be piped back underground to be naturally reheated and used again, creating a closed-loop system that provides clean, reliable heat.
The YMCA means so much to so many people; it’s truly a cornerstone of our community. So, it feels extra impactful to also leverage alternative energy solutions to advance the city’s climate action commitments with this project. It’s a win for both people and the planet.
Tim Johnson
Co-director, Sustainability
Cushing Terrell
The new YMCA in downtown Boise, Idaho, leverages the city’s geothermal system as a cost-effective energy solution for the facility’s two heated pools, showers, and other non-consumptive domestic hot water needs.
The Power of Being a Good Example
We’re plugged into creating dynamic, environmentally attuned learning spaces where generations of students can thrive.
Another project planned to showcase all that can be achieved when a client goes all in to support both people and the planet is the new Hill Elementary School in Austin, Texas. Our client, the Austin Independent School District (AISD), is deeply committed to sustainability and Hill Elementary will exemplify the district’s vision to realize healthy, high-performing learning environments that conserve resources and support occupant well-being.
The Hill Elementary School modernization project is a full-campus transformation that will be delivered in carefully planned phases to ensure the school can remain open and operational throughout construction, all while replacing the original 1960’s-era building.
The new school will comprise 100,000 square feet of upgraded facilities, including a three-story classroom building, community rooms, a library and media center, spaces for music and art, a cafeteria and kitchen, and outdoor learning, eating, and play areas.
In addition to the AISD sustainability standards, the school is being designed to achieve dual certification under both the local Austin Energy Green Building program and the LEED rating system. This means the school will be both operationally and energy efficient while prioritizing health and wellness when it comes to indoor air quality, acoustics, daylight, views, and materials.
Hill Elementary is an exciting example of how projects can leverage sustainability programs to advance school district goals and create a long-term asset to support the community for years to come. Dedicated to giving students the best chance in life through quality education, AISD is also demonstrating how to be good stewards and live responsibly in the world.
Kaitlin McCoy
Sustainable Design Lead
Cushing Terrell
Shown here in a conceptual rendering, the transformation of the current 1960’s-era Hill Elementary School in Austin is being designed to the Austin Independent School District’s sustainability standards, as well as to achieve dual certification under both the local Austin Energy Green Building program and the LEED rating system.
The Power of Planning for the Future
We’re plugged into the goals and aspirations of cities and towns looking to align growth and economic development with environmental stewardship.
Beyond incorporating sustainability into the design of individual buildings, our team is engaged in developing future-focused comprehensive plans for municipalities that not only consider economic growth, workforce development, housing needs, and land use, but also environmental stewardship. In Colorado for example, in addition to statewide climate and infrastructure policies, sustainability is an essential component of modern comprehensive planning.
The Colorado Division of Local Government describes comprehensive plans as tools to balance the natural and built environments and address long-term resilience. Policies require jurisdictions to plan for growth in a strategic and resource‑efficient manner and emphasize infill, services alignment, and sprawl reduction.
For example, when it came to working with the community of Fraser, Colorado, our team facilitated an eighteen-month collaborative process that resulted in a comprehensive plan centered on what the community said mattered most to them: preserving their small-town character, protecting the natural environment, supporting a diverse, year-round population, and ensuring Fraser remains a place where people of all ages can live, work, and thrive.
More and more communities are recognizing the natural environment is a critical aspect of what makes a place livable. Colorado is one of the states where conservation, sustainability, and resilience go hand-in-hand with planning for the future, and we love bringing our team’s expertise in these areas to the overall process.
Nora Bland
Director of Planning
Cushing Terrell
The comprehensive plan for Fraser, Colorado, sets a clear direction for how the town will grow, evolve, and sustain its unique mountain character over the next twenty years. It builds on Fraser’s strong sense of community, environmental stewardship, and creative energy to ensure that future development reflects local values, enhances livability, and strengthens the town’s identity as the “Center of Adventure” in the Fraser Valley.
The Power of Knowledge and Community
We’re plugged into empowering our team with the tools and expertise required to create built environments that benefit both people and the planet.
At the heart of our sustainability practice are our people. We believe sustainability is a team sport and that our greatest impact comes from empowering our team with knowledge, tools, and continuous learning so they can deliver their best work.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the development of our own set of sustainable design excellence standards. This framework serves as a set of best practices that promote environmental stewardship, human health and wellness, and resilience. Grounded in research and a performance-based approach, our framework supports early evaluation of design strategies, helping teams translate technical insights into clear, actionable recommendations to our clients. The result is a more transparent, data‑informed process that supports responsible, cost‑effective decisions that deliver long‑term value.
We also know that beyond frameworks and best practices, sustainable design is ultimately strengthened through conversation, collaboration, and shared experience. After nearly 20 years of working in the sustainability space, I’ve found one thing has remained true: sustainability is always evolving and adapting. Navigating this changing landscape requires creating space for people to learn from one another. Through our ongoing approach to sharing knowledge and expertise, we’re able to respond to emerging opportunities, refine strategies across projects, and support clients with informed, real‑world solutions that advance meaningful, long‑term outcomes.
Ultimately, the power of sustainability lies in people and the power of our collective actions. By investing in knowledge and cultivating a strong sense of community, we turn intent into impact — creating resilient, healthy, and sustainable environments that serve people today and strengthen communities for the future.
Members of Cushing Terrell’s sustainable design team — Tim Johnson, Ashleigh Powell, Alex Russell, and Ryan Schwartz — convene in Boise, Idaho, to support team members, clients, and projects in the region.
