Atlanta — Nov 08, 2019
The Atlanta Regional Commission announced the 2019 recipients of the agency’s Developments of Excellence awards today during the annual State of the Region breakfast. Each year, the awards honor developments and places that are improving quality of life for residents.
The top Development of Excellence recognition went to the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Tech. This groundbreaking example of sustainability leadership was constructed to the Living Building Challenge 3.1 certification standard, the world’s most-rigorous building performance benchmark.
Here’s more information about the Kendeda Building and the other 2019 Developments of Excellence recipients:
Georgia Institute of Technology and the Kendeda Fund
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design is 47,000 square feet of educational lab and community space on the Georgia Institute of Technology campus.
This environmentally-advanced education and research building uses only water collected on-site for potable and non-potable purposes. The building will annually produce at least 105% of its own energy needs through an onsite solar system, and includes many design features to reduce consumption. Getting to the facility is sustainable too: A Georgia Tech trolley stop provides a convenient connection to the Midtown MARTA transit station. And the development features plenty of bike storage and is equipped with showers, further encouraging alternative transportation.
Public art and creative placemaking are also part of what makes this a “Development of Excellence.” The building includes a maker space to spark hands-on creativity, along with a public space lush with plant-life. An edible landscape and rooftop garden provide opportunities for local food production, and a new piece of public art will be installed next year.
In developing this building, Georgia Tech trained and employed local architects, engineers, and sub‐contractors for the construction process, advancing best practices in high-performance building.
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design shows that high-quality sustainability is possible, setting a new standard for our region.
City of Sandy Springs, Carter USA, and Selig Enterprises
City Springs, a mixed-use development in the heart of Sandy Spring, builds on the city’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) vision by transforming an aging commercial strip into a vibrant space that houses development houses Sandy Springs City Hall, shops and restaurants, a performing arts center, and the city’s central greenspace.
The City Springs vision is a part of a network of pedestrian links known as the “Green Arc,” connecting the development to the future Cultural Center, the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum & Park, and retail outlets. These linkages are already catalyzing other redevelopment projects in the area.
The development showcases the power of public/private partnerships to enrich community life in the public realm. The 14-acre site was designed to be an active, accessible destination for the entire community.
City Springs represents the vision of ARC’s LCI program, which provides grants to help local communities reinvent themselves as more vibrant, connected places to live, work, and play.
Soccer in the Streets, MARTA, City of Atlanta, City of East Point, Atlanta United FC, and TransFormation Alliance
Station Soccer, a collaboration of Soccer in the Streets, MARTA, the City of Atlanta, and Atlanta United, reinvents transit stations as a public space for community activity. The transformation of unused space into soccer fields has made the sport accessible to a new generation of athletes.
The three Station Soccer locations are part of a larger vision of 10 transit-connected sites that model healthy recreation and community building by activating otherwise empty spaces.
The station locations also provide opportunities for youth education and engagement. Off-field programs offer lessons in life skills and financial literacy, with learning centers and community gardens planned for future phases.
The innovative T3 West Midtown development uses mass timber construction to push the envelope for private development.
T3 West Midtown is a 230,000 square-foot office building in Atlantic Station developed by Hines. The name “T3” reflects the building’s primary themes: timber, transit, and technology.
The development’s timber structure allows for a faster, more sustainable construction process.
T3 is transit-accessible by way of a shuttle and the Arts Center MARTA station. The development will pursue LEED certification in its commitment to sustainability. T3 sets a new standard in building design, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete and steel.
Willis is an example of how private development can catalyze the economy of a town center. The development, by South City Partners, represents a boost for the economic vision of the Avondale Estates community in DeKalb County.
In line with the city’s Master Plan, Willis serves as a bridge between the busy MARTA transit center and the quiet Avondale Estates historic district. The development’s design sets a new standard for the College Avenue corridor. Wide sidewalks lined with trees and benches will be the hallmark of redevelopments along this major thoroughfare, creating a unified streetscape.
The project is the first new multi-family development in Avondale Estates in more than 20 years, providing more housing options for the city and contributing to relative affordability. Its proximity to the Avondale MARTA station increases the number of people in the city with access to public transit.
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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 73 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.
Contact Name: Junior Knox
Contact Phone: O: 470-378-1648 M: 404-357-5317
Contact Email: jknox@atlantaregional.org
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
