Research Park Aims to Attract Innovative and Entrepreneurial Companies to Auburn

Birmingham, Ala. –July 20, 2009 -- Gresham, Smith and Partners, a leading national architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm, announces that Building One in the new Auburn Research Park for which the firm provided design services has received LEED-Gold certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) rating system.  The 43,000-square-foot office building is the first in Auburn’s 156-acre research park.  The building is owned and operated by the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation (ARTF) and is the second building in the state of Alabama to be certified under the LEED Core & Shell requirements.

The LEED-Gold Certification was attained by integrating many sustainable principles throughout the design and construction stages.  The orientation of the three-story building to minimize solar heat gain, the use of recycled and regional materials and the incorporation of energy efficient HVAC systems and Low-E glazing systems were key elements in the achievement of the certification.  High efficiency plumbing fixtures and low emitting VOC materials are also used in the building.  The site development not only includes indigenous and water efficient plant material but also a system of bioswales for stormwater retention.  B.L. Harbert, the Contractor on the project, also complied with sustainable site and refuse recycling procedures during construction.

"We are thrilled the building has received the USGBC's LEED-Gold certification," stated John D. Weete, executive director, Auburn Research and Technology Foundation.  "The types of companies we are currently attracting and aim to attract to Auburn through the development of this research park are innovative and entrepreneurial and will contribute to the diversification and vitality of the local economy.  It was not only important to us to offer these companies attractive office space in proximity to Auburn University but also to ensure that this development supports our goal of creating smart growth and development in our community."

Auburn Research Park, encompassing three lakes, a meadow, forested areas and a wetland preserve on the university campus, will serve as a gateway to the campus.  Northrop Grumman and Johnson Sterling are among the Park's first tenants.

"Our goal was to design a building that would help ATRF to achieve their mission of attracting first-rate businesses to Auburn while complementing the look and feel of Auburn University," stated Jim Griffo, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, principal, Gresham, Smith and Partners.  "Our design-build team of GS&P and B.L. Harbert International not only made decisions throughout the project to ensure requirements for LEED-certification were met, but more importantly the team was also focused on making smart decisions that would result in minimizing the long-term impact of this development on the environment and our resources."

Other buildings at Auburn University for which Gresham, Smith and Partners served as the Architect include the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art completed in 2003 and the College of Science and Mathematics Building in 2006.  Recent LEED-registered projects designed by GS&P include Vanderbilt University's Rand Dining Center and the American General Financial Building in Evansville, Indiana.  Construction is underway on the GS&P-designed Brooks Rehabilitation Corporate Headquarters which is the first building on a healthcare campus in Jacksonville, Florida to be registered for LEED certification. 

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.