ASTORINO - Architecture | Engineering | Interior Design

WEST PALM BEACH – The new home of the Quantum Foundation and American Lung Association (ALA) in West Palm Beach has received Gold-level certification in the LEED® for New Construction and Major Renovations v2.2 Rating System – the first in the city and just third in the state to achieve such status. Designed by Astorino, a full-service architectural and engineering firm, with offices in Palm Beach Gardens, Miami, Naples and Pittsburgh, the building met strict LEED® guidelines due to a careful exploration and planning process.

ALA and Quantum Foundation selected Astorino in 2005 to renovate its office building into a sustainable facility – to be shared by ALA and the Quantum Foundation – that met the highest standards of environmental sustainability with a focus on indoor air quality. This required the incorporation of green building components into not just the new construction, but to do so while working with the limitations of the existing structure. Those goals were met, as the new space meets LEED’s strict indoor air quality goals, achieving 13 of 15 possible credits in that category, and 39 points overall, upon completion in May 2008.

“We are very excited that we have met and exceeded the objectives set with ALA and Quantum at the onset of this project and have created a building that meets both their organizational and environmental needs,” said Astorino’s Sustainable Design Manager, Catherine T. Sheane, PE, LEED® AP. “This important designation, and our proud work on this building, underscores our deep commitment to sustainable best practices and we hope it sets a precedent for future projects in the state of Florida.”

The design includes additional sustainable elements, such as plumbing and landscaping that reduces potable water use – critically important as drought has affected West Palm Beach in recent years. Windows are both energy efficient and impact resistant for hurricanes but still allow for enough natural light, accounting for the daylighting and views credits.

Other high-performance characteristics that helped the building achieve LEED® Gold status include:

- 23.2% Recycled content in finished materials
- 8.4 % Rapidly renewable resources such as bamboo flooring and linoleum
- 41% of materials were extracted and/or manufactured regionally
- Low VOC carpet, paint, sealants, and adhesives
- Reuse of previously developed site/reuse of existing structure
- Alternate transportation – the site is served by at least two transit lines within a quarter mile
- Community connectivity – the site is within a half mile of at least 10 community amenities
- Heat island effect reduction through reflective roofing materials
- Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood products used to reduce impacts on forest resources
- Thermal zones for higher levels of control and energy reduction (12.2% overall energy efficiency compared to minimum code requirements)
- Views to the exterior from all full-time occupied spaces
- Use of daylighting for regularly occupied spaces to reduce the need for artificial lighting
- Implementation of Green Housekeeping program
- Green Education programs and community involvement
The facility was built in conjunction with several additional project team members, including Craven Thompson (civil engineers), Gentile Holloway O’Mahoney (landscape architects), Bliss and Nyitray, Inc. (structural engineers), and Anderson Moore Construction (contractors).

About Astorino
Astorino is at the forefront of where people and design intersect. A full-service architectural and engineering firm, Astorino deploys a discovery, design, and build strategy, combining unprecedented human-centered research, design and construction services into one seamless process. Each service inspires the other, creating a final product that meets the deepest needs of people who live, heal, work and play in these environments. For more information, please visit www.astorino.com

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Contact:
Courtney Chauvin
212.931.6167
cchauvin@peppercom.com