On September 21, the U.S. Green Building Council held its annual event to recognize and honor outstanding projects, inspirational businesses, dedicated individuals, and instrumental South Florida Chapter members who are LEEDing the way to a more sustainably-built environment in the South Florida community.
With 17 awards distributed and over 75 applicants in total, the best of the best in LEED Certified Buildings in South Florida were honored. Some of the project categories included Public, Private, Single Family, Municipal, Educational, Healthcare and Corporate. The Town of Miami Lakes Government Center, which had received the LEED Gold Certification on September 12, was nominated in the Outstanding LEED New Construction Project, Public Building category.
Other nominees included Gibson Park, Miami Green Lab, Palmetto Bay Municipal Center, Pompano Retail Building (Florida Turnpike Enterprises), Port Miami Terminal D and E, and Village of Wellington Municipal Complex.
“While we did not win the top award, the LEED certification is a mark of achievement and a result of efforts by the design team of KVC Constructors and town staff,” said Mayor Ceasar Mestre.
The certification process awards points in seven categories – sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and regional priority credits.
The KVC team and town staff focused on the functionality and operations of the public building for resident services and employee performance. Sustainable features include highly efficient HVAC systems, low lighting levels with work spaces equipped with lighting controls, use of daylighting, and significant water-saving measures within the building and across the site.
This also includes the use of FSC certified wood to encourage environmentally responsible forest management. During construction, the contractor was able to divert 78 percent of construction waste away from landfills.
"I would like to thank the key leaders in this initiative including the architect, LEED consultant, and the contractor who went beyond their contractual duties to provide a high-performing sustainable facility," said Mestre.