USA Architects of Somerville to be honored for 'green' efforts

USA Architects of Somerville is being honored on Thursday, Oct. 11, during the U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey chapter's 10th anniversary Gala & Awards Dinner at the new Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City for their participation in the design and construction of the Center for Lifelong Learning, a school for autistic and mutliply disabled students in Sayreville.

The center is the first public school in the state and first special needs school in the country to gain LEED Platinum certification. USA Architects designed the building collaboratively with the Middlesex County Regional Educational Services Commission.

" They are strong advocates of sustainability," said Principal Peter Campisano of the commission. "Designing to the highest environmental standards was vitally important to the health and well being of its severely autistic and multiply disapled and preschool disabled student population. Many environmental factors impact the learning experiences for this highly sensory-sensitive student body. Anything less than LEED Platinum was not an option."

The facility was designed and constructed using all natural building materials and green power. Its ongoing energy conservation systems serve as effective teaching tools as part of the school's "green" curriculim to educate students and the community on the value of a self-sustaining facility.

The Gala & Awards dinner is considered the "event of the year" for green building and sustainability professionals in the tri-state area. The keynote speaker will be business leader and environmental advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and two-time Olympic gold medalist Cari Lloyd will be a special guest.

For more information or to register, visit usgbcnj.org/events.

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USA Architects of Somerville to be honored for 'green' efforts