ADD Inc receives special citation on sustainability from AIANE

ADD Inc expanded its green design recognition with a special citation for sustainability from The American Institute of Architects New England (AIANE) chapter's Annual Design Awards. The special citation acknowledged ADD Inc's exceptional design of a new LEED Silver Certified office building for CarMax, one of the nation's largest used car retailers. Located in Virginia, the award-winning project is the 250,000 s/f home office for CarMax. The narrow, glass-skinned building is "slipped" into the woods, providing a narrow footprint that maximizes daylight and allows for views across the floorplate and into the forest from almost every position in the building. Other sustainable elements include natural shading and a reflective roof, permitting for downsized HVAC equipment, and interior custom light shelves. "ADD Inc is committed to designing timeless projects that minimize the adverse impacts on the built environment whenever possible," said Frederick Kramer, president of ADD Inc. "This recognition from AIA New England for our green design work at CarMax is an honor, especially in the company of so many other accomplished design firms." In addition to CarMax, ADD Inc's dedication to sustainable design is evident in a variety of other environmentally friendly projects, including LEED certified projects and a green building resource center. The firm's 30+ LEED Accredited Professionals have been deemed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as having the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the integrated design and LEED certification process. Additional distinctive sustainable projects ADD Inc has designed include the newly constructed LEED certified South Residential Village at Eastern Connecticut State University. This residence hall project incorporates sustainable elements, like water regulation techniques and advanced levels of commissioning, which will save the school money over time. Another ADD Inc project, 321 North, a vibrant, mixed-use development which will revitalize the hurricane damaged section of downtown Plantation, Florida, was recently accepted into the highly selective LEED for Neighborhood Development pilot program. Born from collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, this LEED program recognizes projects that incorporate smart growth, new urbanism, and green design principles. ADD Inc also donated its architectural services for the development of a green building resource center in Boston, called NEXUS. This one-of-a-kind resource for sustainable design and green building innovation includes over 5,000 s/f of product and educational exhibits, green building material samples, a print and online resource library, and networking space, all of which is available to building owners, architects, engineers, designers, developers and the general public.