American Swedish Institute Honored As First LEED Gold Certified Museum In Minnesota

Environmental sustainability and history working well together!  The new Nelson 

From the ASI website www.asimn.org

Cultural Center is a lovely addition to the American Swedish Institute's museum and historic house in Minneapolis - made even lovelier by the recent successful completion of LEED-NC Gold certification. The press release says "ASI is proud to be the first museum in Minnesota to earn this designation as part of its ongoing effort to promote and practice the values of respect for all peoples and the environment that are exemplified in the Nordic countries."

 

Talk about green as mission support!

 

At last year's AAM conference a number of us were delighted to take a green tour, and then Elizabeth Wylie and I included the project in the new edition of The Green Museum: A Primer on Environmental Sustainability just published by Altamira Press. What I love about the building is that it clearly does not compete with the historic structure, is set apart to provide views to the structure, and its green design reflects the principles of the institution it was created to support. Plus the daylighting and green space are fantastic.

 

ASI reports "Architect Tim Carl of Minneapolis-based HGA led the design team for the Nelson Cultural Center.  Swedish designers, Åke Axelsson and Karin Ahlgren served as consultants to the project. Green elements including bio-roofs and a geothermal heating and cooling system ensure that ASI remains not only beautiful but sustainable Institute for generations of visitors to come."                   CONGRATULATIONS TEAM!