March 2004

Grand Rapids, M Integrated Architecture's commitment to sustainable design converted into architectural awards at the Grand Valley Chapter of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) recent annual awards gala. Integrated Architecture collected the prestigious Firm Achievement Award, and two Awards - Sustainable Design and Building Design - both presented to the GVSU-Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC).

"At Integrated Architecture, sustainable design is the foundation of our practice. In the past year, our sustainable buildings have been recognized as among the greenest in the world - winning international awards for environmental design and for their positive impact on businesses - earning finalist recognition in the 7th Annual, Business Week / Architectural Record global awards program Good Design is Good Business. Fifteen years ago when we began Integrated, our goal was to create an exceptional, unconventional firm where talented individuals could practice. The transition to sustainable design was a natural move," Paul Dickinson, AIA, President stated.

The Grand Valley State University Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center is believed to be the first commercial project in the world to integrate fuel cell technology, a heat recovery system for heating and air conditioning, solar/photovoltaics and a nickel hydride battery storage system. It's also one of the first projects to win two GV-AIA honor awards in the same year.

"Winning awards in two categories - design and sustainable design - for the same building will become more and more common as design that is good for the environment moves into the mainstream," said Mike Corby, AIA, Executive Vice President and Design Principal. "As architects we worked for the developer, Workstage, LLC; the owner - the City of Muskegon and the tenant - GVSU. We strived to create a building design that would be as exceptional and leading edge as the technology housed in the Center. The building's site, water usage, materials, indoor air quality and innovation are crafted to meet U. S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED™, standards enabling it to obtain LEED certification."

"The result is a flexible, welcoming building filled with light and fresh air that sits lightly on the earth while deeply connecting the occupants with nature. It offers a pleasing environment that encourages productivity while consuming as little non-renewable energy as possible. The merging of sustainable design with building design results in a wonderful building that is good for the earth and good for the people who work within," Corby said.

Building: Grand Valley State University–Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
Owner: City of Muskegon
Contractor: Workstage LLC
Client: Workstage LLC
Tenant: Grand Valley State University

"We are grateful to Workstage, GVSU and the City of Muskegon for the opportunity to design this facility. It is inspiring to work with clients who understand the positive impact of architecture and sustainable design, and who give us the opportunity to design buildings that support their goals and objectives. While these awards affirm our staff's ability to deliver excellence, we are also honored to be recognized by the GV-AIA Chapter. Our goal is to exceed expectations while positively affecting the built environment. GVSU-MAREC does just that," said Paul Dickinson, AIA, IA President.