Grand Rapids Art Museum Earns Title of the World's First Gold LEED Certified Art Museum

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) today announced it has received a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program -- the first and only newly built art museum in the world to receive LEED certification.

LEED certification is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance, sustainable buildings. A gold certification recognizes a superior level of energy and environmental performance. From its conception, the new GRAM integrated extensive sustainable systems. The new building opened to the public on Oct. 5, 2007.

Lead donor for the new museum is Peter Wege, an environmentalist whose foundation made LEED certification a requirement of its $20 million gift. Wege stated, "The gold standard was always our goal. It is a great achievement that establishes our beautiful art museum as an international standard of excellence in architecture and green design."

The building was designed by wHY Architecture, led by principals Kulapat Yantrasast and Yo Hakomori, and construction was overseen by Rockford Construction. Achieving LEED certification is a particular challenge for art museums, given the exacting climate standards for art preservation and the volume of visitors they receive. Design was further complicated by the variability and unpredictability of Michigan's four-season climate.

"Environmental stewardship is a commitment that is evidenced throughout our museum facility. We are proud to be the first of the next generation of cultural buildings," said Celeste Adams, museum director. "Our commitment to current and future generations is to provide national and international caliber exhibitions and collections of art in a renowned facility that offers a unique place of beauty, tranquility and sustainability."

GRAM incorporates energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems and strict recycling systems for water and operational supplies. Its innovative water collection system reduces the museum's demand for city- treated water by 20 percent.

Visitors to the museum realize 70 percent natural light throughout its public, gallery and managerial spaces, while views to outdoor courtyards, indigenous plants and trees beckon visitors to expand their cultural experience.

Thirty percent of the inventory at GRAM's Museum Store is environmentally friendly -- including recycled paper notebooks, organic cotton clothing and recycled fashion accessories.

The central urban location of the museum allows for easy access by public transportation or bicycle. To further augment its certification, GRAM continues to build awareness of environmentally friendly efficiencies in the region through its education programs and activities.

About wHY Architecture

wHY Architecture is an architectural design and planning office based in Los Angeles. The two founding partners, Yo Hakomori and Kulapat Yantrasast, pursue design solutions to create architecture of tranquility and simplicity with keen attention and sensitivity to materials and detail. www.why-architecture.com.

About the Grand Rapids Art Museum

The mission of the Grand Rapids Art Museum is to provide a gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds can enrich their lives through interaction with works of art in a thought-provoking and creative way. www.gramonline.org.