Sustainable Design Blog

CSA NAMED A FINALIST FOR THE 2008 BEST PRACTICE AWARD FROM SUSTAINABLE FLORIDA

Sustainable Florida Awards Carlson Studio Architecture
During Sarasota City Commission Meeting

Even with Tropical Storm Fay bearing down, Tim Center, the Director of Sustainable Florida - Collins Center, traveled from Tallahassee Monday to present a 2008 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Award to Carlson Studio Architecture during the Sarasota City Commission meeting. Michael Carlson, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP accepted the award on behalf of the firm as a finalist in the small business category. The award is given to individuals, companies or organizations who demonstrate that a healthy environment and a healthy economy are mutually supportive.

"Michael Carlson and other members of his firm have donated their time and expertise to the city in helping us develop green initiatives within our building and planning departments. We felt this exceptional level of community service, along with their exceptional knowledge and experience in the field of sustainable design, more than qualified them for this recognition," said City Commissioner Ken Shelin who nominated CSA for the award. Only participants who have been nominated are eligible to compete in the statewide competition. 

Carlson Studio Architecture was one of 70 nominees in seven categories: Small Business, Large Business, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Partnership, Green Building and Leadership. A panel of nine judges reviewed, scored and ranked the entries based on the integration of environmental, social, and economic factors for the long-term sustainability of Florida.

Carlson Studio Architecture, a regional leader in sustainable design, has received recognition both within and outside of the green building industry. In 2007, the firm's corporate headquarters, originally a 1934 windowless warehouse, received the LEED Silver for Commercial Interiors, the first building in Sarasota County to receive the designation. Carlson received the first Think Green award from the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and this past spring, received the Environmental Business Award from the local chapter of the Audubon Society. Through its projects and corporate values, CSA has demonstrated over its ten year history that a healthy environment and a healthy economy are mutually supportive.

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CARLSON STUDIO ARCHITECTURE CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN BY UPPING THE GREEN ANTE

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."

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