SWBR Architects in collaboration with FXFOWLE and LeChase Construction Co., was recognized for its role in the design of Rochester Institute of Technology's Golisano Institute of Sustainability (RIT GIS). SWBR served as architect of record on the project, with LeChase as design-build team leader and FXFOWLE as design architect. The firms and the project have been recognized with two distinguished awards.
The first was presented at a ceremony on Nov. 6th by Engineering News-Record (ENR) New York. RIT GIS was recognized as the region's best project in the Green Project category, which honors the country's best construction projects and the companies that designed and built them. The second award, the Jeffery J. Zogg Build New York Award, was granted by the New York State Association of General Contractors (AGC). This award highlights the construction industry's positive impact on building and heavy construction in New York. SWBR, LeChase and FXFOWLE were recognized December 10th during the Build New York award ceremony in Saratoga Springs. Josh Reinhard of LeChase Construction and Mark Maddalina of SWBR also presented a case study of the RIT GIS project at the AGC Annual Conference.
The $36 million RIT GIS project consisted of an 84,000 s/f, four-story addition to the university. It houses sustainability research, technology transfer, education and outreach, and is a showcase for green construction and design, as well as GIS master's and Ph.D. programs in sustainability and architecture. The project was completed in March.
SWBR was responsible for architectural drawings, structural engineering, interior design and landscape architecture. "Green" technology was incorporated throughout the entire building, ranging from the solar panels on the soaring canopy to the vertical wind turbines near its front entrance. The building contains specialized research labs, student work areas, classrooms and office suites, and features a fuel cell, microgrid, geothermal system, green roof and green wall.
"The SWBR team is proud to have been involved in this project," said Mark Maddalina, AIA, LEED AP and project manager at SWBR. "We are confident that this facility gives our region the resources needed for worldwide opportunities in the future in sustainability research and education."
Today, the institute conducts cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, alternative-energy development and validation, and sustainable design and pollution prevention. It works with a host of businesses and state and federal agencies, including Xerox Corp., Eastman Kodak Co., General Motors, Staples, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the United States Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The project was established and made possible by a $10 million donation from Paychex Inc. founder Thomas Golisano in 2007. Following this gift, RIT was awarded a $13.1 million grant by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Construction Grant Program and $10 million in funding from New York State. The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council awarded the project $5 million.
Construction of the project lasted for two years, beginning in 2011. It was designed and built to exceed the highest standards of the USGBC's LEED Platinum rating. The project has been submitted to the USGBC and final approval is expected later this year. Tags: