April 2007

Integrated Architecture swept the Sustainable Design Honor Awards category at Saturday's AIA-Grand Valley Annual Honor Awards Banquet. The David D. Hunting YMCA, Grand Rapids, MI, the nation's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rated YMCA and the Gold LEED Royal Caribbean West Coast Call Center in Springfield, OR, both earned Sustainable Honor Awards. This is the first time in the history of the AIA-GV Awards that more than one Sustainable Honor Award has been presented to one firm in a single year.

"We are pleased that both the David D. Hunting YMCA and the Royal Caribbean Call Center were honored for their sustainable design. This recognition, by our peers, underscores our continuing efforts to create buildings that are not only good for the environment, but great environments for the people who live and work in them," said Paul Dickinson, AIA, IA President.

"We are especially grateful to the YMCA for giving us the opportunity to create the David D. Hunting project. Located in the heart of Grand Rapids it is a realization of the belief that fresh air, sunlight and healthy buildings belong to the community. For this non-profit organization, creating a healthy, sustainable Y came as a natural outgrowth of their mission to build strong bodies, minds and spirits for everyone - regardless of their ability to pay," Dickinson continued.

The sustainable impact of the David D. Hunting YMCA extends beyond the local community. IA worked with the YMCA national design team to incorporate many of the project's sustainable strategies into the YMCA's design standards, which will serve as a model for all Y's across the country. In addition to winning a Sustainable Honor Award, the Y also received a Building Honor Award, for successfully demonstrating design resolution. The David D. Hunting's AIA-GV Awards are the latest in an impressive list that includes:

Environmental Design + Construction Magazine

2006 Excellence in Design Award
Athletic Business Magazine

2006 Facility of Merit
Recreation Management Magazine

2006 Innovative Architecture and Design Award

While the David D. Hunting YMCA illustrates IA's sustainable Michigan design efforts, the Royal Caribbean West Coast Call Center in Springfield, OR, illustrates how a West Michigan-based firm is impacting sustainable design across the nation. Designed to capture the essence of a luxury cruise ship the center also illustrates how even a 'gold plated' environment can achieve Gold LEED status. The environment, filled with fresh air and natural light, supports Royal Caribbean's commitment to the health and well-being of their employees and the environment.

David D. Hunting YMCA
AIA GV Building Honor Award
AIA GV Sustainable Honor Award

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
AIA GV Sustainable Honor Award