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Atkins-designed, LEED Platinum-certified Tyndall Fitness Center wins 2012 USACE Chief of Engineers Award of Excellence - October 12, 2012
Tampa, FL – Atkins announces that the Tyndall Fitness Center at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida, has been awarded the 2012 Chief of Engineers Award of Excellence from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Atkins provided full architectural services for this high-profile development that underscores the commitment of the U. S. Air Force (USAF) to successful use of sustainable, energy-efficient design. From more than 70 nominations, the fitness center was selected for the honor by a jury comprised of nationally recognized design and environmental professionals.
Now in its 46th year, the Chief’s Awards of Excellence Program recognizes some of the most innovative projects accomplished by USACE teammates and their private-sector design and construction community around the world. The Chief of Engineers Award of Excellence requires unanimous jury support and goes specifically to an entry that excels in all major professional design disciplines, including sustainability.
“Tyndall is committed to being a leader within the Air Force and the community for sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Brian Allen of the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron. The $16.8 million, 72,750-square-foot, 2-story fitness center was designed to follow the “Fit to Fight” maxim adopted by the USAF in 2004.
The energy-efficient building design was achieved through the teamwork of Atkins architects and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-accredited professionals working in conjunction with the USACE Mobile District and a consultant team. Although the project was initially contracted to be designed to meet LEED Silver certification, Atkins was able to modify the design to meet Platinum-level standards—the highest rating possible under the LEED program—without increasing project costs. The fitness center is currently the U.S. military’s most energy-efficient facility.
The award jury said, “This project epitomizes the ideal design solution: the synthesis of vernacular tradition, passive design principles, and cutting-edge sustainable strategies, making a building complex that is anchored in time and place.”
The Tyndall Fitness Center project has previously won the 2009 Merit Award for Concept Design from the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment and the 2011 Building of America Gold Medal Award.
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For more information:
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Carol Hobbs
Communications Director
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Tel: +1 407.806.4139
carol.hobbs@atkinsglobal.com
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Notes to Editors
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is one of the world's leading engineering and design consultancies*, employing some 17,400 people across the UK, North America, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Europe. It has the breadth and depth of expertise to plan, design, and enable some of the world's most technically challenging and time-critical infrastructure projects.
*It is the largest engineering consultancy in the UK (New Civil Engineer Consultants File 2012) and the 14th largest global design firm (Engineering News-Record 2012).
Recent projects include:
- Critical program management of storm protection works in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana, providing expertise in coastal restoration, engineering, environmental and GIS support to rebuild defenses and protect habitats.
- Architectural and construction phase services for the new Tyndall Air Force Base Fitness Center, meeting LEED Platinum standards without impact to project cost.
- Equal partner in a joint venture that is providing full-service program/project management support for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, a $7.8-billion project encompassing ecological restoration, water storage, flood control, and recreation.
- Key transit projects – member of joint venture providing general engineering consultant team for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and project management oversight contractor for the Federal Transit Administration for major transit projects throughout the US.
- Lead firm on the Ascend, Joint Venture, LLC team, which is designing the $1.2-billion Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. International Terminal roadway system at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
- Meeting stringent nutrient removal requirements for wastewater treatment plants in the Chesapeake Bay area through design of upgrades to Howard County, Maryland’s Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant, and design and construction of enhanced nutrient removal facilities at Anne Arundel County’s Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant.
- Multi-year architecture-engineering construction management services for the National Park Service in the USA, including projects such as rehabilitation of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Administrative Complex at California’s Death Valley to meet the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification standards.
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The LEED Platinum-certified Tyndall Fitness Center at Florida’s Tyndall AFB consumes 42 percent less energy than a typical building of similar size, and is currently the U. S. military’s most energy-efficient facility.
Photo credit: Atkins
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“Green” features of the Tyndall Fitness Center include placing sunshades around the façade to reduce solar heat gain. In addition, natural daylight is harvested through clerestory windows in the lobby.
Photo credit: Atkins
Click to enlarge
The two-story, 72,750-sf Fitness Center provides a gymnasium with two basketball courts, three racquetball courts, and much more. Light monitors over the gym are complemented by light-reflective colors and finishes that reduce heat gain and minimize the use of electrical lighting.
Photo credit: Atkins
Click to enlarge