Innovative Solutions Lead to Recognition as One of the Most Energy Efficient Buildings in the Nation

Nashville, Tenn. – October 26, 2009 – Gresham, Smith and Partners, a leading multi-disciplinary design and consulting firm to the built environment, announces that the Nissan Americas building for which the firm provided design services has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's s 2009 ENERGY STAR®.  Operational since July 2008, the award signifies the building's energy performance rates in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide.

"We are pleased the energy efficient solutions employed in the Nissan Americas project have resulted in this ENERGY STAR recognition," stated Steve Johnson, AIA, executive vice president, Gresham, Smith and Partners.  "This facility is an example of how intelligent design solutions improve the overall user experience while creating operational efficiencies that positively impact the bottom-line."

 GS&P performed extensive energy modeling analysis on the building skin to fine tune the geometry with the goal of maximizing daylight harvesting, reducing the need for artificial lighting and minimizing the impact of solar heat gain. Other key design features in Nissan Americas that contribute to energy savings and environmental protection include:

• Sunshades to control solar heat gain
• Heating and cooling efficiency through an under-floor ventilation system
• Low-emissivity, high performance glass
• Light harvesting
• Vegetative roof system
• Runoff water collection system
• Video conferencing to limit travel

The striking 460,000-square-foot Nissan Americas Corporate Facility was designed to enhance Nissan's employee efficiency and collaboration while incorporating sustainability in both interior and exterior environments.  The ten-story building is the regional headquarters for North, Central, South and Latin America and serves the needs of more than 1,500 Nissan employees. Departments in the headquarters include administration, sales and marketing, communications, legal, finance, human resources, product planning and advertising. 

In addition to design services related to the Nissan Americas facility, GS&P provided design services for Nissan's manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tenn. which previously received ENERGY STAR® recognition.  The firm subsequently provided services for plant expansions in Smyrna for body systems and storage.  GS&P's design of a powertrain assembly plant in Dechard, Tenn. also supports Nissan's corporate goal of incorporating design elements focused on energy efficient operations.

About GS&P:
Gresham, Smith and Partners provides design and consulting solutions for the built environment that contribute to the success of national and international clients.  For more than 40 years, GS&P has focused on enhancing quality of life and sustainability within communities.  GS&P consists of industry-leading professionals practicing architecture and engineering design as well as scientists and highly specialized planning and strategic consultants in Aviation, Corporate and Urban Design, Environmental Compliance, Healthcare, Industrial, Land Planning, Transportation and Water Services.  GS&P consistently ranks among the top architecture and engineering firms in the United States.  For more information regarding GS&P, visit www.gspnet.com.