The goal of LEED is to create better buildings that: reduce contribution to global climate change; enhance individual human health; protect and restore water resources; protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services; promote sustainable and regenerative material cycles; and enhance community quality of life.

In January 2020, the City of Orlando was recognized for achieving the LEED For Cities Gold certification for its citywide sustainability and resiliency efforts, the highest level of performance for any city in the Southeast United States. Orlando is part of a growing group of cities to be certified using the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). 

Orlando has achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies aimed at improving sustainability and quality of life for residents. 

Tyndall Air Force Base - Fire Station #4

2023     |      Florida

Tyndall Airforce Base Fire Station #4 building design (and construction) complies with the United Facilities Criteria (UFC) High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements (HPSBR) Guiding Principles and industry standards for high performance and sustainable buildings. The fire station employs integrated design principles, optimizes energy performance, protects, and conserves water, enhances indoor environmental quality, reduces environmental impact of materials, and addresses climate change risks. Per Department of Defense (DoD) Sustainable Buildings Policy, a newly constructed building that complies with all the requirements of UFC 1-200-02 (HPSBR), is considered compliant with all federal sustainability requirements. 

Urban agriculture allows for the development of a variety of environmental, economic, and social benefits to the surrounding communities. Urban farming can reduce transportation costs, help reduce runoff associated with heavy rainfall, and lead to better air quality. 

Orange County Multicultural Community Center

2023     |      Pine Hills, Florida

The Orange County Multicultural Community Center (OCMCC) has the potential to become a cultural hub for the Pine Hills community. It will facilitate learning, connecting with neighbors, fellowship, cultural events, celebrating significant life events, and enjoying art exhibitions. The OCMCC is where people get inspired and motivated to do extraordinary things and influence the larger community. The Multicultural Center is a sustainable adaptive reuse design that retains 95% of the existing 60,000 SF shell previously used as a grocery store and transforms it into a community hub. The entire shell remains the foundation and support for the new dynamic design. To incorporate character and reinforce the multicultural concept, perforated metal panels, and vibrant colors were added to the facade to represent the cultures that make Pine Hills a special place. The facade reinforces the community coming together to start a brighter future. The perforations of the skin purposely allow the existing structure to be seen. Existing clerestories and roof framing are exposed in the main public areas in keeping with the modern industrial aesthetic. A new community garden was designed as part of the original concept to grow out of the pavement and be a welcomed resource to support a local farmers' market. The adaptive reuse process allowed for significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact by not having to build a new shell and keep materials out of the landfill.  The name of the project reflects the ethnically diverse community it will serve; the program responds to its community's requests, needs, and desires. The design integrates and brings to life the vibrancy of the community by healing the wound left by an abandoned building that sat empty for many years. The adaptive reuse approach converted the silent site into an active destination where the community can come together and grow.

The Design integrates the history of the place’s existing structure with the dynamic energy of the community. On the interior of the building, the same language is used, extended, and adapted to the new function. The exposed structure in the main assembly spaces, vibrant colors on the walls, and the acoustic ceiling baffles work to elevate the space for its new purpose. Existing clerestory windows bring natural light to the main exhibition (lobby) area, polished concrete floors and a beautiful mural representing Pine Hills' values welcome visitors and instill a sense of pride.

Words like: Family, Faith, Pride, resiliency, culture, creativity, education, and safety are emphasized and adorn the walls of the exhibition area and flex space. It is extraordinary to see the transformation that a sustainably sensitive architectural design can produce, especially to an existing, almost forgotten site. Colors represent the diverse ethnic population  that  live in Pine Hills: African-Americans, Hispanics, Caribbean and Asian. The shell of the building  remains, new openings  on the North and West of the building are added  and these walls  serve as a canvas for a new painting  that  introduces vibrant colors and  showcases the identity of the community:”Many cultures, one bright future”... The exterior steel framing that once served as the main feature of the North Façade, becomes the background  and support of  a new perforated metallic  skin  that transforms the look and provides a renewed image and aesthetic to the building. Renovation design connects people and efficiently reuses and adapts existing spaces to a refreshing new purpose. It balances beauty and function; it generates activity, comfort, and well-being. It respects nature and its context and the specific needs of the people.