Special to the News-Sun
VENUS - More than 90 builders, contractors, elected officials, local and state government representatives, local business representatives and staff celebrated Archbold Biological Station's LEED Platinum Certification on April 19 at the new Frances Archbold Hufty Learning Center and Adrian Archbold Lodge.
Archbold Biological Station is Florida's renowned center for ecological research, conservation, and education. The Station's Board and staff conceived the idea for this building project as a part of their continuing efforts to expand education opportunities as well as serve as a world-class showcase of sustainability in action. The buildings are to serve as a gateway for the public to the Florida scrub, blending the outdoors and indoors, reflecting the surrounding natural beauty. Many elements of the green design are inspired by the surrounding Florida scrub ecosystem: a place where plants and animals survive by conserving energy and water.
The Station achieved LEED Platinum certification for its new Frances Archbold Hufty Learning Center and Adrian Archbold Lodge in January 2012. LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, established by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings, as verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. LEED Platinum certification is the highest standard achievable.
The celebration included a welcome from Sebastian de Atucha, Treasurer of Archbold's Board of Trustees. Sebastian, Frances Archbold Hufty's grandson and Richard Archbold's grandnephew, opened his remarks with, "My grandmother once said of the buildings that, they must be distinctive, but not eccentric." He went on to explain that they met this criteria and much more. "We are thrilled to have met the vision of providing a world showcase for green construction," de Atucha added.
Hilary Swain, the Station's executive director, commented, "This building has set Archbold Biological Station and the community on a continuing journey of sustainability. We hope to continue working together with the building industry and through our collaboration, promote the lessons learned here, so they can be replicated throughout the southeast and beyond."
Barbara Stewart, Highlands County Commissioner and Archbold Trustee said, "As a rural county, we are especially proud to have Florida's 12th LEED Platinum commercial building located here. This project proves that the challenges presented by building in a rural area can be overcome."
The LEED Platinum Certification was presented by Jennifer McAlister, president of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the US Green Building Council. Recipients of framed certificates included representatives from the design and construction team responsible for the completion of the buildings. The team consisted of: Jeff Mudgett of Parker Mudgett Smith Architects; Jim Keohane of TLC Engineering; Rob Engel of Stantec, David Dale of Owen-Ames-Kimball, Inc., and Nancy Bissett of The Natives. Special recognition went to the Rocky Mountain Institute for its consultation on energy and daylight modeling and to Cross Creek Initiative which provided an independent assessment of the buildings.
In addition to the LEED Certification, two other designations were presented to Archbold. The Southwest Florida Water Management District presented its Florida Water StarSM designation to both the Learning Center and Lodge for their water use efficiency both indoors and outdoors. Also, The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Science via its Highlands County Extension Office presented a gold level Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM designation for the new landscape around the buildings.
For more information on the new Frances Archbold Hufty Learning Center or Archbold Biological Station visit www.archbold-station.org.
Sunday, April 29, 2012 - www.newssun.com/042712-LEED-Event