SARASOTA, FL [January 10, 2008] - Carlson Studio Architecture, a Sarasota sustainable design firm with a national reputation, went even deeper green in 2007 with new LEED certified headquarters, two leadership awards and two staff members achieving LEED AP accreditations.
Principal Michael Carlson, AIA, LEED AP, purchased the 1934 Cheney Building at 1613 Fruitville Road last January to serve as his firm's new corporate headquarters and retrofitted it with numerous sustainable features. Recently, the project received its LEED CI (Commercial Interiors) Silver designation by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the restoration. Known as "The Cheney Building," the project becomes the third building in Florida to earn this designation. LEED is the USGBC's leading edge system of standardized 3rd party verification for certifying the world's greenest, energy efficient and high performance buildings.
"Retrofitting an existing building with sustainable features is a great way to celebrate our tenth anniversary," said Carlson. "We're very pleased that we were able to recycle a piece of Sarasota's history and create an eco-friendly environment that benefits our staff, clients, neighborhood and broader community."
The LEED-CI Silver Certification was awarded on a number of sustainable design strategies and construction features that include:
Adding over-sized windows, glass doorways and transparent walls to better harvest natural light (studies show increasing daylight optimizes the health, well-being and productivity of occupants); installing an Energy Star roof, high performance glass and extra insulation to maximize energy efficiency and thermal comfort; selecting low VOC paint and chemically-free sealants, caulks, adhesives, flooring and cabinetry to minimize indoor pollutants; and conserving water with "low flow" water fixtures among other sustainable strategies.
"Carlson Studio Architecture is to be commended for achieving LEED-CI Silver certification. This facility is one that both the community and its customers can be proud of," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO, Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "Carlson Studio Architecture headquarters will be a showcase for high-performance, energy-efficient, retro-fitted buildings, and an inspiration for others."
When Carlson started his firm ten years ago, third party certifications for sustainable features such as LEED didn't exist - today, Carlson holds the distinction of having designed the greenest commercial building in Florida - Sarasota County's Twin Lakes Park Office Complex which was awarded the LEED Gold certification in 2005. For this accomplishment, his tireless efforts to educate others about sustainable principles and for leading a number of other green projects around the state and across the country, Carlson's firm received two leadership awards in 2007. The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce selected CSA as the first recipient of the "Think Green" Small Business Award in June of 2007. The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC also awarded Carlson the Chapter Leadership Award in "recognition of his leadership, commitment and contributions" to the organization's mission.
In addition to the new LEED-CI certified workplace and leadership awards, CSA staff associates Becky Johnson and Gaye Hukel both completed their LEED AP accreditations this past year. Half of the firm's staff currently hold LEED AP accreditations.
Said Carlson, "Our firm has completed several projects designed to meet stringent third party certification standards. We are excited that we are now being selected as the architectural firm to design buildings, facilities and projects that go beyond these tough standards. We see sustainable initiatives continuing to gain momentum and CSA continuing to be a leader in the field."