Blair Remy is proud to have designed two facilities that have recently earned Gold Certification in LEED, an internationally-recognized green building certification system. Owners for the two projects, the JCSE (Joint Communications Support Element) Squadron Facility at MacDill AFB, Florida and the Smart Building for Strategic Planning and Development at Andrews AFB, requested their respective designs to meet the minimum of Silver Certification, but both facilities actually earned the higher certification of Gold when registered.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, in March of 2000 to promote sustainable building and development practices through a program of rating systems that recognize projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in key areas as verified by an independent, third-party group.

LEED-certified buildings are designed to (1) lower operating costs and increase asset value; (2) reduce waste sent to landfills; (3) conserve energy and water; (4) be healthier for occupants; (5) reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions; and (6) qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives. Certification is based on a 110-point scale, with credits weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Projects must satisfy all prerequisites, then earn a minimum number of points to be certified.

Long before this program was established, Blair Remy has incorporated into their architecture many of the current energy saving components so critically examined for LEED certification. Continuing in that effort, Blair Remy designs all of their facilities to meet a minimum Silver Certification; however, as reflected in our most recent projects, we often achieve even higher standards in environmentally conscientious buildings.

You can find more information on LEED at the USGBC website, http://www.usgbc.org.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has selected Blair Remy to negotiate with the Government  for a five (5) year $6 million A/E services IDC in the Mobile District, South Atlantic Division to support the Mobile District Military Construction Design Program.  In the Small Business Set-Aside category Hernandez-Calhoun Design International was also selected. IDC subcontractors to Blair Remy are as follows: Atriax Group; Merrick & Company; AMEC Earth & Environmental; Doran & Karwoski; Contour Engineering; L3-Enterprise IT Solutions; LandAir Surveying; Agility Surveying Co.; Civil Consultants; CEA; and, Intercontinental Corrosion Engineers.

Design has commenced on the new $29 million conference center at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington DC with the selection of Blair Remy to design the 45,000 SF Strategic Planning and Development Facility (SPDF) for the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE). The facility, touted to be a high-level highly secure design, will seek LEED Silver certification.

The design-build team under AMEC includes Merrick & Co. and Manhattan Construction Company. Rick Wente, Project Manager, said the SPDF is scheduled for ground breaking in May, 2009. The facility will include a 265-seat auditorium with balcony, distinguished visitors suite, 150-seat executive conference area, three classrooms, 300-occupant multifunction room with adjacent pre-function area, and a great hall for gatherings. Support facilities include a full kitchen and state-of-the-art audio visual and communications systems. The facility is part of the National Capital Region Readiness Complex. 

Blair Remy recently received design awards for two of their projects. Brigadier General Leonard A. Patrick, USAF,  Director of Installations & Mission Support presented the awards, two of only six awarded world-wide in 2008. Blair Remy's design of a prototypical Dormitory and the Squadron OPS/AMU & Group Headquarters are the two buildings honored in Blair Remy's tenth (10th) and eleventh (11th) awards, respectively. Blair Remy's staff has been consistently recognized by the United States Air Force since they began entering design competitions less than a decade ago. Following is an excerpt from the announcement:

 

Headquarters Air Mobility Command                                               

Scott AFB, Illinois 62225-5022

Dear Mr. Remy,

Congratulations on your firm's selection as a winner in the 2008 Air Mobility Command Design Awards Program. Your "Dormitory" and "Add/Alter Buildings 6 and 55" projects exemplify our continuing focus on quality facilities and work environments for our people.

Thanks to all for the great work that went into winning this well-deserved honor...

Sincerely,

LEONARD A. PATRICK

Brigadier General (Sel), USAF

Director, Installations & Mission Support