February 29, 2008
100 PERCENT OF FIRM’S PRINCIPALS HOLD LEED ACCREDITATION

Commitment to Sustainable Design Starts At The Top

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 29, 2008) – The principals at Orlando architecture firm C.T. Hsu + Associates are “LEED”ing by example in their commitment to advance green building principles and sustainable design. 

Recently earning accreditation by the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design” (LEED) program are Design Principal Tim McNicholas, Principal James Hughes and Director of Interior Design Linda Karatzas. Along with President C.T. Hsu and Associate Principal Nathan Butler, 100 percent of the firm’s principals are now LEED Accredited Professionals.  In addition, Karatzas is a certified green building agent by Florida Green Building Coalition.

“Green building is no longer a niche trend, it has become an acknowledged best practice,” said Firm President C.T. Hsu, FAIA, LEED AP.  “Our firm is committed to a strategy of advancing sustainable opportunities both for our employees and our clients.”  The firm’s goal is for all of its design professionals to be LEED accredited by the end of the year.

In 2008, the three largest segments for nonresidential construction green building – office, education and health care – will account for more than 80 percent of total nonresidential green construction, according to Building Design + Construction magazine.

C.T. Hsu + Associates is an Orlando-based architectural planning and design firm named a “Firm of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects - Florida Association.  Established in 1984, the firm focuses on a mix of mid to large scale projects in the education, government, transportation and mixed use development sectors.  Its multidisciplinary approach ranges from urban planning and design to architecture and interiors.