Walsh Bishop aids Marquette Plaza in attaining LEED Platinum certification
Building is first in downtown Minneapolis to receive highest LEED status Read Article….
Duke Realty – LEED Certified Norman Pointe II
The LEED-certified Norman Pointe II is one of the more architecturally bold structures on the Interstate 494 strip. The building’s inviting entrance features a canted glass curtain of windows bisecting the middle portion of its 10 stories. The sloping middle section ends at the top with a two-story, light-filled space offering spectacular views of downtown Minneapolis and Bloomington’s neighborhoods and parks.
Norman Pointe II’s glassy facade is enlivened by building-length bands and blocks of dark and light browns, white and various window treatments. A 1,290-space parking ramp sits behind it.
“Walsh Bishop, the architects, did a really nice job of designing a beautiful building,” says Duke Senior Vice President Pat Mascia, head of the Minneapolis office. Norman Pointe II is part of a larger development that includes a small lake, walking trails and Norman Pointe I - a seven story, 210,000-square-foot, multitenant commercial office building.
Mascia’s favorite space, the three-story atrium lobby, features wood walls, leather chairs and couches, trees (”we’re trying to bring the outside in”), a large origami-like piece of art inspired by an 1880 plat map of the site and a unique waterfall - partly inspired by the one in the IDS building downtown - where ribbons of water that look like guitar strings travel 30 feet into a basin of slate gray stones.
“It’s really cool,” he says.
Norman Pointe II was the first Twin Cities structure to receive LEED “core and shell” certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. (Tenants decide whether to pursue LEED in multitenant buildings, and so far none has at Norman Pointe II.) The LEED recognition derives from the building’s many sustainable attributes, as well as little things like dedicated parking for hybrid cars.
-Frank Jossi
The 10 Best Ways to Incorporate Green Design Into Your Project
Ian Scott, LEED AP - Recently published on Casino Gaming Enterprise:
Sustainability is an integral part of current conversations regarding development and resources. The impact of design and operating decisions an owner will make over the course of their development is becoming increasingly transparent and quantifiable. How can an owner take steps to ensure that they will be prepared as they address issues of sustainability throughout their development process? Read Article>>
Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Featured in Metal Building Developer Magazine
Designed to appeal to the senses and evoke the natural environs of northern Michigan, the new Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel in Williamsburg, Mich., is a stunning example of modern architecture gone green. Read Article>>>
Another LEED AP at Walsh Bishop!
We are proud and excited to announce that Walsh Bishop Designer Lisa Monson passed her LEED-CI exam today! Congratulations Lisa!
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Two More LEED APs!
Walsh Bishop is excited to announce that we have two more LEED APs! Jocy Teske, Principal Design Manager and Ian Scott, Vice President and Design Principal, have both passed their exams. Congratulations to both!
Another LEED AP
Walsh Bishop is excited to announce that Design Principal Stephen Knowles has become a LEED-AP. Congratulations Stephen!
Earth Day 2009
It’s that time of the year again! The 2009 Minneapolis Earth Day Watershed Clean Up is taking place on April 18 and Walsh Bishop will continue it’s history of participating in this fun and important activity with what we hope is a large team of WBA staff, family and friends! The LEAP Task Team is coordinating this event for the fourth year in a row and we hope to have some fun, help our community and set a good example of environmental stewardship. This year we will also be wearing blue in support of Architecture 2030’s “Two-Years, Nine-Millions Jobs” initiative. Go to www.2030architecture.com for more information on this important plan to add jobs and grow the economy by investing in the building industry.
Another LEED AP!
Robb Jensen, a Design Manager and Associate at Walsh Bishop, has just passed his LEED exam! We are proud and excited to have another LEED AP on staff and continue to promote further accreditation firm-wide. Congratulations Robb!
WBA’s New LEED AP!
Suzanne Ilten, a Senior Interior Designer at Walsh Bishop, just passed her LEED exam on the 15th of December! We are proud to have another LEED AP on the roster and continue to push for further accreditation firm-wide. Congratulations Suzanne!
In related news, the LEAP (Leaders in Environmental Awareness & Protection) Task Team is working diligently to keep sustainable solutions in the forefront of WBA’s operations and design. 2009 will bring us more educational presentations with an environmental focus, and we’re aiming for LEED Silver certification for our new building. Stay tuned for updates to these and more green initiatives at WBA!
