Overview
SOLARC Architecture & Engineering, Inc. provides comprehensive and integrated architecture and engineering services for projects, including energy efficiency, sustainability, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), renewable energy, lifecycle analysis, and carbon assessment. Founded in 1996 and with offices in Eugene and Portland, SOLARC’s mission is to increase the sustainability of the built environment. Some of their local projects include the Slocum Center (LEED Gold), Lillis Business Complex (LEED Silver), Café Yumm!, Co-Motion Cycles, Food for Lane County Distribution Center, Moss Street Campus Childcare Center, Aurora affordable housing and the WaterShed. Their staff also serves as advocates and educators in the community on energy efficiency and sustainability.

Praise From the Mayor and From the Community
Mayor Kitty Piercy praised SOLARC for their leadership role in advancing the design of sustainable, high performance buildings. “We are fortunate to have SOLARC in Eugene,” she said. “Their vision of transforming our society to one that works in harmony with nature is evident in the many green buildings they have helped to design in Eugene.”

“SOLARC has also committed to modeling sustainable practices in their own operations,” noted Carolyn Stein, Chair of the Bold Steps committee. To ensure that SOLARC continues to implement measures to minimize their environmental footprint, employees formed a green team called WaTT, which stands for Walk the Talk Team. The WaTT focuses on policies and practices related to energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable purchasing, and alternative transportation.

Care for Employees
SOLARC also takes care to treat its employees well. The company provides free health insurance for all employees, as well as a bonus plan and contributions towards employees’ 401k plans. SOLARC pays for on the job education and has a monthly lunch and learn program for employees. Employees are allowed to telecommute and work flexible hours. SOLARC pays generous living wages in green jobs, often hiring students from Lane Community College’s Energy Management Program.

Other Awards and Recognition
SOLARC’s services have earned them recognition and several awards. In 2010, SOLARC was eighth on a list of Oregon’s Best Green Companies to Work For. SOLARC was part of an interdisciplinary team that received an award from BetterBricks in 2010 for their work on the LEED Gold Slocum Center in Eugene. In 2001, the American Institute of Architects honored SOLARC with the National Architecture and Energy Sustainable Design Award for the Food for Lane County Distribution Center. SOLARC provided pro bono design services for the Evans-Harvard High Performance Classroom at da Vinci Arts Middle School, the first LEED Platinum certified K-12 public school building in the country.