Washington, D.C. (July 28, 2015) – Global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will announced today that its Washington, D.C. office has received the 2015 Notable Green Building Project Award of Excellence from the U.S. Green Building Council National Capital Region (USGBC-NCR) for its work on the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center.
The award recognizes an exemplary green building outside of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system.
Completed in the spring of 2014 and located on the western edge of the NIH’s Bethesda, Md., campus, the 320,000-square-foot research center is comprised of 10 institutes, with Phases I and II together representing the largest neuroscience facility in the U.S.
The Notable Green Building Project Award of Excellence specifically recognizes Phase II, which represents both a new capital project as well as a major addition to the existing, Phase I scientific research facility housing more than 700 researchers that maintained full operational status throughout the new Phase II construction.
“We are honored by this award. Without question, ‘green’ is in our DNA, and this dual-certified LEED Gold project demonstrates our commitment to incorporate innovative and sustainable design features in everything that we do,” says Jeffrey Welter, LEED AP BD+C, PMP, a Managing Principal in Perkins+Will’s D.C. office. “I’m extremely proud of the services we provided for this state-of-the-art research facility, which will assist scientists in positively impacting neuroscience research around the globe.”
A variety of unique sustainability features were integrated into the research center, including geothermal ground-source heat pumps, active chilled beams, LED lights, and a roof-top photovoltaic array, which augments energy generation. The Phase II facility is also home to a technologically advanced 18.4t MRI suite, the first-of-its-kind in the world, capable of providing high-resolution imaging.
With its design, Perkins+Will has created a welcoming and efficient environment that supports innovation and discovery. The project team designed spaces that encourage collaboration and communication, use flexible laboratory architecture that can change over time, and accommodate diverse research approaches, from cell culture to behavioral testing.
Perkins+Will accepted the award at the USGBC-NCR’s 13th annual A Midsummer Night’s Green event on July 16 in Arlington, where more than 400 industry professionals came together to network and honor their peers.
A panel of leaders from various fields within the local design community and development sector selected the award recipients.
About Perkins+Will’s D.C. Office
Situated in the heart of our nation’s capital, the Washington, D.C. office of global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will is a diverse practice delivering client-focused, detail-oriented and transformative solutions. Led by Managing Director Chris Morrison and Design Director Carl Knutson, the approximately 75 professionals housed in the District of Columbia location serve long-term and new clients in industries such as civic, corporate, government, health care, higher education, science and technology. Our team strongly believes that the economic imperative for increased efficiency and today’s business climate require the thoughtful consideration of energy, waste and water to remain competitive and assure a healthy environment for generations to come. Underscoring our commitment to sustainable design, the Washington practice proudly occupies award-winning space that has achieved LEED Platinum certification. Additionally, we have designed half of the total LEED-CI Platinum projects in D.C. Our professionals in the District of Columbia are committed to serving the communities in which they live through company-supported volunteer events and initiatives, as well as pro bono services. In accomplishing our work, we promote the values of environmental stewardship, a healthy culture, investment in the community, professional development and sound financial practices. For more information, please visit www.perkinswill.com/offices/washington-dc.
About Perkins+Will
Perkins+Will is an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm established in 1935 and founded on the belief that design has the power to transform lives and enhance communities. Each of the firm’s 24 offices focuses on local, regional and global work in a variety of practice areas. With hundreds of award-winning projects annually, Perkins+Will is highly ranked among top global design firms. Perkins+Will is recognized as one of the industry’s preeminent sustainable design firms due to its innovative research, design tools and expertise. The firm’s 1,700 professionals are thought leaders in developing 21st century solutions to inspire the creation of spaces in which clients and their communities work, heal, live and learn. Social responsibility is a fundamental aspect of Perkins+Will’s culture, and every year the company donates 1 percent of its design services to pro bono initiatives. In 2015, Fast Company ranked Perkins+Will among “The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Architecture.” For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.
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