Straughn Trout Architects Recognized In Washington, D.c. For Sustainable Design

March 2, 2011 - PRLog -- Magnify Credit Union Achieves “Hat Trick” of Green Building Awards

WASHINGTON, DC –February 28, 2011 – The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) announced the results of its 2010 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards last week in the Nation’s Capital. Lakeland based Straughn Trout Architects, LLC was recognized with a second place award for their design for the South Lakeland Branch Magnify Credit Union.

On Monday, Rep. Dennis Ross congratulated both the architects and the owners on their recent award. "Sustainable, net zero construction is vital to our long term economic and ecological future,” state Ross. “I congratulate all involved in the project for their commitment to the health, success, and financial future of the citizens of Central Florida.  During these times of energy volatility, I hope this project, and those like it, become the standard for our communities and put us on a path to energy freedom."

The SBIC presented nine national awards for outstanding high-performance buildings, and one award for outstanding high-performance building initiative. “Once again, the range and quality of submissions we examined was truly impressive,” noted Gregg Ander, FAIA, jury Chair and Chief Architect for Southern California Edison. “It’s equally impressive to see this level of activity in spite of our difficult economic conditions.  Clearly, the value that these advanced design buildings provide is recognized by building owners and occupants.”

“The jury was thoroughly impressed with the Magnify Credit Union,” noted Bud DeFlaviis, Executive Director of the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council.  “Through the combination of a thoughtful design, and a forward-thinking partner, Straughn Trout was able to merge the old with the new and create a project that should serve as an example for other communities to follow.”    

“The project has become a successful flagship branch for the client and a milestone project for our firm and our community,” stated Jerry Trout, principal of Straughn Trout. Tim Hoeft, who leads Straughn Trout’s sustainable design initiatives, also noted “We hope that the project’s national recognition will inspire others to incorporate similar strategies that make both environmental and financial sense.”

Recognized winners were invited to Washington to share their projects with two distinct audiences – both having an interest and ability to help the nation achieve better building performance.  The first event was held on Capitol Hill in partnership with the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC).  The second event was held at the Catholic University of America’s (CUA) School of Architecture. “This awards program provides our students with a tremendous opportunity to learn first-hand, from some of today’s leading building practitioners, how to successfully design and construct high-performance buildings,” said Chris Grech, director of the Master of Science in Sustainable Design program at CUA.
 
The Beyond GreenTM Awards are part of an educational outreach program for policymakers, building trade professionals and the general public.  Recognized projects will be featured on SBIC's web site, described as case studies on the Whole Building Design Guide website, and integrated into SBIC educational programs.

The 4,151 sq. ft. branch credit union also received two “Building of the Year” awards from local U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) regional chapters. The Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC includes sixteen counties extending along the west coast from Crystal River to Fort Meyers. The Central Florida Chapter of the USGBC includes eight counties centered on Orlando. The building is the only building in Polk County to achieve a USGBC LEED Gold certification. It is also designed as the first “Net Zero” energy commercial building in the state, which means that the on-site renewable energy systems will produce more electricity than the building will use annually.

SBIC’s 2010 TM High-Performance Building Award Winners

Category A – High-Performance Buildings

Grand Prize – LOTT Clean Water Alliance Regional Services Center
Olympia, Washington – Miller Hull Partnership

1st Place – Johnson Controls Incorporated Headquarters
Glendale, Wisconsin – Gensler

2nd Place – Magnify Credit Union
Lakeland, Florida – Straughn Trout Architects, LLC

Citations – Category A

Exemplary Community Involvement – Third Street Center
Carbondale, Colorado – Energy and Sustainable Design Inc.

Integrated Design Process – Pine Jog Elementary School
West Palm Beach, Florida – Zyscovich Architects

Integrating Site Elements – Clemson University
Pontiac, South Carolina – SmithGroup

Innovative Envelope System – Cambridge Public Library
Cambridge, Massachusetts – William Rawn Associates

Corporate Commitment for Going Beyond Green – PNC/Gensler
PNC Place, 800 17th Street

Integrating Buildings that Teach Concepts – PCC Willow Creek Center
Portland, Oregon - GBD ARCHITECTS Incorporated

Category B – High-Performance Initiatives

Grand Prize – Category B – NYC Active Design Guidelines

City of New York

Greg Franta Memorial Award

Harry T. Gordon, FAIA, LEED AP


The 2010 ™ High-Performance Building Awards Jury:

The 2010 jury was comprised of industry members whose commitment to excellence is longstanding and well documented.

 Mr. Gregg Ander, FAIA, Chief Architect for Southern California Edison (Chair);
 Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, LEED AP, Architect of the Capitol
 Nancy Clanton, PE, IALD, FIES, LC LEED AP, President, Clanton & Associates, Inc.
 Deane M. Evans, FAIA, Executive Director, Center for Building Knowledge, New Jersey Institute of Technology
 Earle Kennett, COO, National Institute of Building Sciences

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Straughn Trout Architects is a multi-disciplined firm located in Lakeland, Florida established in 1956, and has been in continual practice since it’s founding. Our portfolio of projects vary in scale and complexity from high technology college and university campuses, libraries, art museums, medical clinics, criminal justice facilities, court rooms, schools, banks, as well as general offices and private residences. Our clientele for these services have been in the private sector throughout the United States as well as governmental agencies for the State of Florida, various school boards throughout Central Florida, local and surrounding county and city governments.