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Columbia Business Monthly

R2i2 Wins ENR Southeast’s Green Projects Award of Merit

Nov 15, 2017 01:09PM ● By Emily Stevenson

LS3P’s design for the new Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2), a multigenerational learning center in Columbia, won an ENR Southeast Green Projects Award of Merit. Constructed as a design/build partnership between LS3P and MB Kahn Construction Co., R2i2 is a community center where students, parents, teachers, academic support personnel, community members, and businesses can engage in collaborative educational activities.

Sustainable design strategies include high performance HVAC systems, water-conserving fixtures, recycled and local materials where possible, natural lighting and views, LED light sources, and low-e glass. The facility also makes sustainability visible to students with a “Next-energy Lab” classroom which demonstrates renewable energy technologies such as fuel cells, and which is powered by its own photovoltaic array. R2i2 was also recently awarded Two Globes by the Green Building Institute for environmental sustainability.

“To be involved with the design of this unique facility has been a real privilege for our LS3P design team,” said Mary Beth Sims Branham, LS3P Principal and Columbia Office Leader.  “The District’s vision for an inspiring, sustainable community center has truly been realized.” The facility, which opened in the fall of 2016, weaves together community resources such as a public library, Richland Two’s District Offices, and a student learning lab. The unique two-story learning lab accommodates a variety of programs targeting juniors and seniors from Richland Two’s five high schools, and offers opportunities for college-level and dual-credit courses as well as certifications in areas such as  Apple App Development, Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Managerial Accounting and Finance, Next Energy and Fuel Cell Engineering, and Entrepreneurship through Mobile and Non-Traditional Food and Service.