News
Eley Guild Hardy goes all out for green in South Mississippi - The Journal of South Mississippi Business, By JIMMIE BELL, May 2009
Projects in design or under construction
* Ole Miss Law School at Oxford (pursuing LEED Gold)
* St. Martin High School
* Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art with Frank Gehry
* NASA Infinity Science Center with Stantec
* Coast Transit Authority Beach Comfort Stations (seven locations.)
* USM College of Health in Hattiesburg (pursuing LEED Silver)
* Police headquarters and municipal facility in Gulfport
* Mississippi Sound Maritime Historical Museum
South Mississippi is getting greener, thanks in part to projects by Biloxi architectural firm Eley Guild Hardy.
What makes these projects stand out is the all-out effort by EGH to empower each employee with "every available application of sustainable design," said EGH principal Mark Lishen, AIA, LEED AP. Eley Guild Hardy has 15 LEED accredited professionals on staff and others studying to take the exam.
(LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.)
He confirmed, "Designing a building that utilizes every known component in the greening process contributes to a tremendous saving of the environment - in addition to saving untold dollars in a company's operation."
He cited fewer health problems and increased worker/student productivity due to green buildings having better indoor air quality and lighting, as well as reduced power and water bills as a possible major contribution which greening provides.
Lishen was one of the early adopters of sustainable design principles in the state. In 2003, he was just the second person in Mississippi to achieve LEED certification.
EGH has acquired experience in the pursuit of greening on several major developments over several area states.
Successfully achieving LEED certification includes designing for increased daylighting, energy efficiency and water reduction; the proven applications range from the use of no-VOC-emitting paint and furniture to the installation of bamboo flooring and even to bio-composite sunflower seeded cabinets.
"Nearly every application we employ is environmentally friendly," Lishen said.
Joining hands
The merging in 2008 of the Jackson firm of Eley Associates, Architects (which originated in 1975) and Guild Hardy has resulted in a base of operation that is now out front with unlimited green applications.
The company's newly acquired midtown Jackson office is undergoing a thorough application of its own greening principles; also Eley Guild Hardy is designing the new Ole Miss Law School, which is expected to receive LEED Gold Certification while the new USM College of Health anticipates LEED Silver Certification.
Guild Hardy Architects was founded in 1953 in Gulfport by Taylor Guild's father, Willis T. Guild, Jr., AIA along with Lloyd K. Grace, AIA.
As a member of the United States Green Building Council, EGH officials realize the importance of sustainable design, Keith Guillot, Marketing Coordinator said.
Added Lishen: "Our commitment is evident in the design of our own Biloxi office, which has received LEED certification. We look to continue our practice-what-you-preach mentality by pursuing LEED Certification on the renovation and restoration of our Jackson office."
Thus, Eley Guild Hardy Architects has become one of the largest and most respected architectural firms in Mississippi and now provides superior service statewide and regionally.
The firm has also attained a list of accolades including numerous design awards from the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Interior Designers and an Honor Award from the Design Awards Program of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC).
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