| Excerpted from the Southface
Journal of Sustainable Building - Winter/Spring 2003 |
 |
| Pictured here at Greenprints,
Henderson emphasizes the importance of design firms
exploring unique collaboratations to help further
the green building movement. |
|
TVS Architects & Southface
partner to make history
A Unique Collaboration
Over the past few months, a partnership
has blossomed that will have Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback
& Associates (TVS) and Southface collaborating on a
landmark commercial green building project. Southface,
having more than doubled in staff in the last several
years, needs additional office, demonstration and program
space. With extensive experience in the commercial building
sector, epitomized by being granted affiliate status
with the U.S. Green Building Council, the organization
will build the Southface Eco-Office adjacent to its
existing Energy and Environmental Resource Center in
Midtown Atlanta. |
After receiving a request to submit an
architectural proposal, TVS decided to have an internal roundtable
discussion about what the firm and its team could truly offer
Southface. According to Holley Henderson of TVS, who is an
accredited UGSBC professional, during this meeting a "light
bulb came on." It was decided that the best way TVS could
contribute to this project, and be involved throughout the
entire planning, design and construction process, would be
to partake in the project through an advisory position-as
the Architectural Owners Representative. Involved TVS representatives
bring exceptional qualifications including commercial building
experience and ongoing participation in Southface's educational
programs such as the annual Greenprints Conference. Their
main duties as sustainable advisor include participating in
the 2003 Greenprints/NREL Charrette, assisting in setting
sustainability goals and conducting peer design reviews during
schematic and design development documentation.
"With the added knowledge, resources and
LEED experience from the AIA firm of the year, the Southface
commercial building is bound to be a success." - Jules
Paulk, Director of Southface Green Building Services.
|
Why Is This Such
A Tremendous Partnership?
Like a three-legged stool, TVS balances
on three legs-design, technology and business. Southface's
mission during the process, completion and use of the
commercial expansion will be to demonstrate excellence
in all three of these areas. In regards to design, the
inspirational new facility must be an effective demonstration
tool for facility visitors and a productive workplace
for Southface employees with the best use of daylighting,
acoustics, materials and space organization. Environmental
technologies will ensure the high performance building
operates at the highest levels of energy and water efficiency.
And a fundamental component of this project is to demonstrate
to the business community that a "green" commercial
building makes good business sense, saving money over
the life of the building. |
A Community Effort
In an effort to promote "a transparent process and perception
of community ownership," TVS has offered its office as a venue
for showcasing the pre-construction process of the Southface
Eco-Office. To collaborate with the green building community,
TVS has invited Southface to make a presentation on the new
Southface commercial facility to the AIA Committee on the
Environment, the Atlanta Regional USGBC and the TVS staff.
TVS has always aimed to bring to the local Atlanta community
something that exceeds design and business excellence and
client satisfaction. Dedicating itself to adding value to
the community, TVS has partnered with the United Way, Habitat
for Humanity and Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts. In addition,
TVS consulted on the overall urban design plan for Atlanta's
midtown district and the Centennial Olympic Park area.
Three years ago, TVS wrote a sustainable business plan stating
the firm's goal to become leaders in sustainable design in
the Southeast and beyond. Through collaboration with progressive
organizations such as Southface, TVS is now well placed to
respond to commercial building industry demands for high performance,
energy efficient and sustainable buildings.
TVS has and will continue to support Southface. Both Henderson
and Bill Abballe, former American Institute of Architects
(AIA) Committee On the Environment chair and AIA Atlanta board
member, have expressed excitement about the Southface project.
And Southface is thrilled to have these two professionals'
expertise throughout the process of creating the Southface
Eco-Office.
 |
| The Lord, Aeck & Sargent team
concentrates on the task at hand, designing Southface’s
new commercial building, during the full-day Greenprints
charrette. |
|
"I'm ready
for the new adventures that will be a part of working
on the Southface commercial building, as with all Southface
projects I know innovation is encouraged and the process
will be ever-evolving," - Holley Henderson.
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