Bergmann awarded Innovative Project of the Year Award by U.S. Green Building Council South Florida

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) South Florida honored national architecture, engineering and planning firm Bergmann with the Innovative Project of the Year - Commercial Interiors award at the 2021 GalaVerde LEEDership and Green Awards program. The award recognizes Bergmann’s design of a TD Bank branch in Palm Beach Lakes, Florida, a 2,000 square-foot location that opened in September 2020.

The branch was designed to meet the requirements for LEED v4 for retail green building certification. Previously, TD Bank and Bergmann partnered to develop the first Net-Zero bank building in the country, while also collaborating to develop a pioneering Net-Zero prototype building that is not dependent on a specific site. Built upon the lessons learned during the Net-Zero development, the Palm Beach Lakes branch project included a 47 percent reduction in water usage and green power offsets for 100 percent of usage. The lighting design uses LED fixtures through the space, in addition to occupancy sensors and daylight sensors for a lighting power reduction of more than 42 percent. The banking and other equipment are specified to be energy efficient wherever possible (99 percent of equipment is EnergyStar compliant) to reduce plug loads.

“The goal of this project was to mix TD Bank’s familiar brand with new materials and sustainable design elements that provide a comfortable workplace for employees and a unique experience for customers,” said Dana Reeves, AIA Associate, NCIDQ, Commercial Practice Leader, Bergmann. “This recognition from USGBC South Florida is a great honor and a testament to our long-standing partnership with TD Bank built on a commitment to green design and construction.”

Beyond LEED certification, the project incorporated elements of biophilic design, an approach to improving employee and customer health and well-being through the use of natural elements, materials and textures. The team engaged artists from the local community to design the indoor and outdoor art installations. Palm tree motifs were incorporated into the design throughout the building, with miniature palm tree planters in the open spaces for customers and employees alike to enjoy, a palm tree bark-reminiscent feature wall behind the teller station, palm leaf-patterned metal panels, daylighting, and additional natural artwork. Although the branch is located in a densely developed community, the natural elements inside and out are meant to invoke feelings of respite and connection to nature.

The GalaVerde LEEDership and Green Awards are presented annually to celebrate outstanding sustainability projects and innovative community leaders throughout South Florida.

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For more than four decades, Bergmann architects, engineers and planners have been delivering results to clients across the United States and Canada. This team of more than 450 professionals spans the Northeast, Midwest and Atlantic regions. Bergmann develops connections with partners and communities to create dynamic, creative solutions that will stand the test of time, while promoting environmental and functional sustainability. Projects in the Bergmann portfolio range from signature buildings and commercial developments to critical transportation infrastructure and community planning.