ACC Rio Grande takes home two awards at USGBC South Central Region Community Leadership Awards ceremony

These prestigious awards celebrate excellence from the projects, people and partners that are working to create better buildings and better lives for all in their local communities.

ACC Rio Grande is an adaptive reuse building constructed in 1916 and renovated nearly 100 years later in 2017. The project honors the existing building’s history by preserving the building exterior while integrating modern, sustainable design strategies. The architects increased square footage by 14,000 square feet by enclosing previously outdoor courtyards redesigned as conditioned social spaces illuminated by diffused natural daylight and protected by ETFE canopies.

The project includes EV charging stations, a reflective, cool roof to deflect solar heat gain, Energy-Star appliances, and a 40% reduction in electricity. ACC Rio Grande also earned the highest sustainable design and construction certification, LEED PLATINUM, in September 2022. It is the first LEED PLATINUM rating for the college and the tenth LEED-certified project, in addition to earning a 4-Star Austin Energy Green Building.

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