ENERGY STAR Labeled Building Profile

Magnify Credit Union - South Lakeland Branch
961 E Road 540-A
Lakeland, FL 33813
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This project redefines the model of sustainable design for small commercial buildings in a typical suburban American context.

The design of this flagship branch for a recently re-branded credit union aligns with the client?s mission of financial education and environmental awareness. As an intervention in an environment without any sense of place or true historical precedent, style and form become dictated by the sustainable functions of the facility as well as the operational activities of the occupants. Programmatic flexibility of both private (interior) and public (exterior) spaces weaves the project into the local community fabric by providing a place for events that can develop its identity over time. Re-evaluating the owner?s ?standard business model? transforms the interior organization of spatial relationships made possible by recent technological equipment.

The new branch credit union is located on a previously developed site and was designed to wrap around an existing building that is the home of a ?neighborhood favorite? ice cream shop. This unique pairing increases the area?s development density while minimizing changes to infrastructure and local traffic patterns. While only minor cosmetic changes will be made to the ice cream shop, the finished project will portray two buildings, two businesses embracing each other in a symbiotic relationship.

The roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system was designed to produce 116 percent of the facility?s estimated energy requirement, qualifying the design as Florida?s first ?Net Zero Energy? commercial building. The PV system also passively contributes to energy savings by creating a double roof condition deferring direct heat gain on the building through natural convection. In addition to solar energy, rainwater reuse is also a key design component affecting both the building and the site. Using the roof as a collector, a cistern system will support both water closets and drip irrigation. With harvested rain water and low flow fixtures, calculations show the building will use 80 percent less potable water than a conventional design.

The branch interior is equally sustainable. Many finishes, including tile, carpet, and counter tops, have been selected due to their recycled material content. The lighting system includes digital controls and photo sensors that automatically dim the interior lighting when natural daylight sufficiently illuminates a space, and additional occupancy sensors automatically turn lights off in unoccupied offices. A touchscreen kiosk provides occupants with live building data, a ?green features? map, and explanatory animations educating the public about the various sustainable design elements.

Awards

-- USGBC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter LEEDership Awards in 2010;  Category/title: Building of the Year (small)

-- Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) Beyond Green High Performance
Building Awards Program in 2010;  Category/title: 2nd Place

-- USGBC Central Florida Chapter in 2010;  Category/title: Building of the Year (small)

Ratings
-- U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC v. 2.1/2.2 in 2009;  achievement level: Gold. 
44 of 69 LEED Points Achieved. Sustainable Sites: 7 Water Efficiency: 5 Energy & Atmosphere: 15 Materials & Resources: 3 Indoor Environmental Quality: 9 Innovation & Design: 5

Communications:

Unavailable

Testimonial:

"The jury was thoroughly impressed with the Magnify Credit Union. Through the combination of a thoughtful design, and a forward-thinking partner, Straughn Trout was able to merge the old with the new and create a project that should serve as an example for other communities to follow."

-- Bud DeFlaviis, Executive Director, Sustainable Buildings Industry Council

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Please note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by Magnify Credit Union or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.

Service Provider:
Straughn Trout Architects, LLC

Building Owner:*
Magnify Credit Union

Property Manager:*
Magnify Credit Union

Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
2011 (76)

Facility Type: Bank Branch

Total Floorspace: 4151 sf

Year Constructed: 2009

Contract Type: None

Technologies Used:

Stage 2-Lighting

Stage 3-Load Reductions

Stage 4-Fan Systems

Other Technologies/Strategies