Gulf State Park Scoops Up Awards, Certifications, Recognition

Sep 30

Gulf State Park Awards & Press: An International Model of Sustainable Eco-tourism.

Gulf State Park is setting new global benchmarks for resilient structural design and land development projects, having received numerous awards and certifications. The Lodge at Gulf State Park and the Interpretive Center are the first two commercial buildings in the world to achieve the FORTIFIED Commercial™ certification. The Lodge has also been awarded the Sustainable SITES Platinum Certification, breaking ground as the first Sustainable SITES project in Alabama, and the first SITES hospitality project in the world.

Recently recognized as Alabama’s first Living Building, the Gulf State Park Interpretive Center has achieved Petal Certification from the International Living Future Institute with 19 of the 20 imperatives of the Living Building Challenge! Performance measurements gathered for net positive water, energy, carbon and materials have catapulted this tiny building on the Gulf Coast of Alabama to join a handful of global leaders that are moving beyond the paradigm of “sustainability” and demonstrating the possibility of truly restorative development.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building rating system is being used to measure building performance in terms of water conservation, energy conservation, healthy indoor environments, and wise material use. The Lodge has achieved LEED Gold certification, the Interpretive Center received the LEED Platinum certification, and The Learning Campus, also at the Gulf State Park, has achieved the LEED Silver certification.

“We are proud that two of Gulf State Park’s new enhancements are the first buildings in the world to receive designations as FORTIFIED Commercial™ structures,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “These designations represent the park’s commitment to be an international benchmark of environmental and economic sustainability through responsible design and construction. These beautiful facilities go beyond basic building code requirements to ensure that it will welcome and educate visitors to Alabama’s Gulf Coast for years to come.”