ENCINITAS, CA — (September 3, 2009) — Lux Art Institute announced today that it has been awarded LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The recognition makes Lux the first art museum in California to be awarded LEED certification for new construction and the first LEED-certified art museum in San Diego County.

"We are so proud to receive this distinction," said Lux Director Reesey Shaw. "It's been a unique challenge to ensure that Lux is a facility that balances artistic vision with environmental sustainability, and we're thrilled to share this honor with our community, supporters and friends. We are grateful to our architect, Renzo Zecchetto; landscape architect, Greg Rubin; project manager, Graham Anderson; Paul Robinson, our board president, and the Lux board for their efforts and persistence."

Lux achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of additional sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

"Lux Art Institute's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Lux serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."

The LEED certification of Lux Art Institute was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• A giant barn door that opens to naturally cool down the studio area and provide views across the valley, in addition to design considerations that reduce the building's overall energy usage by over 10 percent compared to similar California buildings.
• The filtering of storm runoff water to prevent contamination of the ocean or lagoons.
• Eco-conscious construction in which nearly 75 percent of construction waste was recycled and diverted from the landfill.
• Materials used consisted of recycled content, with a significant portion manufactured or extracted within 500 miles from the site.
• Xeriscaped gardens that feature more than 750 rare native plants that live and grow naturally in the region without needing special maintenance, fertilizers or pesticides. The plants also use up to 50 percent less water and help prevent soil erosion.

About Lux Art Institute

Lux Art Institute, located in Encinitas, Calif., is redefining the museum experience with the region's only artist-in-residence program that invites artists to live and work on site, while producing a commissioned work of art – start to finish. This one-of-a-kind institution invites visitors to not only "see art," but also to "see art happen."

Throughout each year, Lux invites several significant regional, national and international artists to participate in its residency. Visitors from across the country are able to participate in exclusive liaison-led tours, providing intimate access to the artist-in-residence, the artist's exhibition and the museum's permanent collection of indoor and outdoor art. Lux also offers a wide range of innovative programming for all ages.

The recipient of the San Diego Architectural Foundation's top design award, the Grand Orchid, and slated to be the first "green" (LEED-certified) art museum in California, Lux is located alongside one of Southern California's few remaining coastal wetlands. The five-acre site also overlooks the San Elijo Lagoon and is surrounded by a wildlife preserve that stretches to the Pacific Ocean.

Through its Phase II Capital Campaign, Lux plans to add 25,000 square feet of galleries and classrooms. Once completed, the new building will also feature a hilltop plaza and a series of gardens climbing between the galleries and the Artist Pavilion.

Lux Art Institute is located at 1550 South El Camino Real in Encinitas, Calif. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and cost is $10 for two visits. For more information about donations, memberships, volunteer opportunities and more, visit http://www.luxartinstitute.org or call 760-436-6611.

About U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% of water consumption, and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

About LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. The U.S. Green Buildings Council’s LEED rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries.

By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers, and the larger community.

USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, education and research organization in the nation.

For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.