Gulf Coast Green Symposium 2009 Reducing the Regions’ Footprint: options for reducing the region’s carbon and ecological footprints while we continue to grow and consume The presentation by Steve Dumez, FAIA, Design Director for Eskew+Dumez+Ripple architects based in New Orleans, reviews the history and key issues of Sustainable Design within the building industry. In addition, the overall cost and environmental impact of LEED-certified building is broken down by rating and long term benefit.