FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHP Named Finalist for Green Building Awards
03.17.10
SHP Leading Design is pleased to announce that Pleasant Ridge Montessori was named a finalist for the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Green Business Awards. Pleasant Ridge Montessori, designed by SHP, was a finalist in the People Category. Projects in the People Category were honored for demonstrating benefits to the people in the community through enhancing social equity, diversity, accessibility, involvement and interaction.
“SHP is continually viewed as a thought leader in green/sustainable design and we are honored to recognized by the Business Courier,” Charlie Jahnigen, SHP vice president said. “From our LEED training program to our work with the State of Ohio on establishing green standards in Ohio schools, SHP is leading the way.”
Pleasant Ridge Montessori School is the first LEED Certified School in the State of Ohio. When
the project began, the community was struggling and school enrollment has significantly declined. Today, enrollment at the school has nearly doubled and real estate values have continued to rise
even as 61% of Cincinnati areas decline.
The impact of the new school can be felt throughout the entire district, and state. CPS adopted the sustainable design standards established by Pleasant Ridge Montessori and is applying them to all of its future projects. The State of Ohio followed suit. Now, every new public school in the state that receives state funds must meet LEED Silver certification or better.
SHP also helped train several of the award winners’ staff for the LEED Accredited Professional exam through our continuing education program, which was also nominated for a Green Business Award. This includes staff from HGC Construction (construction manager on the winning Cincinnati Zoo projects), among others. SHP also provided LEED consulting services for Green Source, a finalist in the Prosperity Category. To date, SHP has trained over 750 individuals across the United States.
“SHP’s hands on experience with LEED and successful teaching tools were proven with our 100% pass rate for our employees. Our group gained the confidence they needed to pass the test on their first try,” said Mike Huseman, HGC Construction President.
In addition, as part of the comprehensive education program, SHP also created an application for
the iPhone and iPod Touch called EcoFlash - flashcards for the LEED exam. Currently, SHP has six apps available including four full, paid apps and two, free lite versions. The flashcards are a series of applications geared at helping people prepare for LEED exams.
“Remarkably, the apps has been downloaded over 2,691 times, including over 628 times in 58 unique countries other than the U.S.,” SHP’s Director of Sustainability Allison Beer said.
It is SHP's belief that going green is the right thing to do. The firm is committed to meeting the needs of today's clients without compromising the needs of future generations. "Our continued leadership will help drive good, green business decisions for our clients and us," Jahnigen added.
SHP Leading Design offers a complete line of planning, architecture, interior design, engineering, construction administration and facilities management services. With more than 105 years of experience, the firm is committed to leading the community in innovative architectural design and sustainable design. Headquartered in Cincinnati, SHP also has offices in Columbus and Hamilton, Ohio.
