This photograph shows the road leading to the Green Sand Beach located on the South Point on the Big Island of Hawaii.
When Matt and Rhonda set out on the road to creating an architecture firm that was focused on both design and the environment, we gave great thought to what we wanted to contribute and how we could make a difference in the world. Going into business together and joining forces was an enormous step and we wanted to be sure that if we went down this road, we would indeed make a difference. Matt’s background, experience and education have always been focused on architecture. Rhonda's path has not been as straight but it has been heading toward the same destination. Rhonda's background is science, as a researcher and as a State regulator in the environmental field, as well as an environmental consultant both for a large corporation and then as her own environmental consultant. This background has prepared Rhonda for the intersection with Matt's road. They now travel together, steering an architecture firm serving both design and the environmental needs. Those two elements are interwoven. Architecture can satisfy the clients' construction needs while reducing their environmental impact.
Architecture starts with an idea. That first step, and ends with a successful finished project that is functional, artful and done in a way to reduce its impact on the environment. Fulfilling immediate needs while not compromising the future. The next time you are on the Big Island of Hawaii we suggest you walk this road to the Green Sand Beach. Take the time to think and listen and enjoy, it is truly a magical place and worth putting on your travel plans. This actual place in nature was the inspiration for our company name Green Sand Inc. We hope you take the journey and enjoy the beauty of this special place that has brought us so much joy, peace, and inspiration.
Biomimicry is a relatively new science that studies nature, its models, systems, processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably.
Green Sand Inc. draws upon the natural processes that work to create this crystal sand bay for creative inspiration. We take time to draw out your ideas, visions, goals and needs understanding them at a deep level. We then transform these ideas and goals into creative, practical and sustainable solutions.
The actual green sand beach is located at South Point on the Big Island of Hawaii. This is a wonderful visual example of how “the process” in this case the ocean, acts upon the cliff where the olivine or peridot crystals are embedded to free the crystal and release them to become the Green Sand Beach.
We hope you find in Green Sand Inc. the connection you are looking for to turn your ideas into your vision.
The result really speaks for itself. Out of lava from the center of the earth come these beautiful crystals known as olivine or peridot. Beauty is there, it may be hidden but it is there. It sometimes is shy and must be coaxed out but it is there and when exposed - all can enjoy.
In this close up photograph of the lava cliff you can see peridot crystals embedded and the loose peridot crystal sand after the waves and ocean have washed away the other impurities in the lava. The result is a beautiful one of a kind Green Sand beach. This is how we see architecture and work on each project. There is inherent beauty and it is ours to find as a team. And in the end the results will speak for themselves, beautiful functional pieces of art to be used and enjoyed into the future.
Green Sand Inc. firmly believes that sustainable or green design should be an inherent part of every project. Green Sand Inc. strives to find that technique, that strategy, that place, in every project where the individual environment, economic, and social benefits combine to be something greater than the individual parts. The added benefit generated by this synergy increases the ultimate value of each project.
We lead by example. We have an established Environmental Policies manual for Green Sand Inc. business operations, which outlines our environmental polices, metrics of success and establishes goals for improvement. Policies include: waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and an environmentally conscious purchasing program. We have reduced our footprint as much as we can for now and have offset our remaining footprint through CarbonFund and are proud to be a carbon neutral company.
We are passionate, knowledgeable, and have the technical expertise required to make your project truly sustainable.
Since the beginning, Green Sand Inc. has been a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and strives to incorporate sustainable design principals into all of our projects, whether they are going for LEED® Certification or not. Green Sand Inc. currently has four registered LEED® Projects including: converting an existing medical facility design to a green design, a multi-family residential project, a custom home with a goal of LEED® Platinum and an eco village in the affordable housing sector.
A woman-owned small business: Rhonda Goyke, LEED® AP, Chief Environmental Officer for Green Sand Inc. is the majority stockholder of the company.
An emerging small business: According to Federal Acquisition Regulation19.1002 definition of an Emerging Small Business, Green Sand Inc. falls comfortably in this category.
Specializes in Sustainable Strategies. Green Sand Inc. provide LEED® Consulting services as part of our full-scope architecture services but we also provide LEED® consulting independently to other architecture firms and contractors who may not have this specialty in-house. Our staff is 100% LEED® Accredited Professionals.
Rhonda Goyke is currently the Chairperson for the Hawaii Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and former Vice Chairperson. Rhonda is also the Chairperson for the Regionally Specific LEED® Bonus Credits Ad Hoc Committee.
Green Sand Inc. is always looking for opportunities to join efforts and partner with likeminded companies to fulfill the needs of specific solicitations.
