FGBC Project Profile: St. Johns River Water Management District – Apopka Service Center
The SJRWMD Apopka Service Center was designed and constructed as a Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) “Florida Green” project, meeting the highest standards for sustainability at the Gold level of certification.
FGBC Certification Programs tailors’ carbon-reducing, green building standards to the Florida climate, allowing builders, developers, and communities to meet green building standards while simultaneously constructing sustainable properties best suited for Florida’s ecosystem.
Unlike USGBC LEED, Green Globes, and other national and international standards, FGBC certification standards takes a scientific approach developed with state-specific criteria. They address Florida’s hot-humid environment, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters.
The 17,000 sq ft multi-use office and training facility was constructed using the Design-Build approach, which allowed for streamlined communication between the contractor, subcontractors, and owner, resulting in faster project completion, increased collaboration, and cost savings.
“We are thrilled to have delivered the Apopka Service Center as a green building project using the Design-Build approach, following best practices of the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA™). Our team of design and construction professionals worked collaboratively with the SJRWMD to ensure that the project was designed and built meeting all the goals for time, budget and sustainable performance. Design-Build is an excellent choice for many projects and promotes close collaboration amongst team members,” noted Rob Maphis, President, The Collage Companies.
In 2000 the non-profit FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green building standards tailored specifically to Florida. FGBC is by far the largest certifier of green residential and commercial construction, local governments, communities in the state with over 30,000 green certified projects.
The Collage Companies is an established integrated services firm with expertise in Design Build, Construction Management, and General Contracting – Collage has served Florida and the southeast since 1982 from their headquarters in Lake Mary, Fla. Collage’s community–centric projects in the hospitality, religious, transportation, education, government, and parks and sports sectors have produced a long list of award-winning projects in both the public and private sectors.
Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition about your next project at info@floridagreenbuilding.org, visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org or call (407) 777-4914.
