Kirksey
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1971, Kirksey began as a small commercial architecture firm and today has evolved into a diverse organization of 11 specialized practice groups, each focusing on a particular business segment. Kirksey is headquartered in Houston, Texas
on their own LEED certified corporate campus.
Committed to the community and the environment, Kirksey designs high-performance, healthy buildings for all clients. This was formalized through the creation of the EcoServices team, a private think-tank
and consulting group whose focus is to mainstream environmentally-friendly building practices. The team educates other firm members and the community on green building
practices. A basicGREEN program was developed that prescribes sustainable design
measures to be implemented on every project, regardless of LEED Certification and at no added cost to the project.
Kirksey currently has over 27000000 sq ft (2,508,382.1 m²) of LEED projects certified or underway, and has designed many of Houston's first
LEED buildings including:
Kirksey retrofitted their building to become the first LEED EB (existing building) certified in Texas as well as operating internally as a green company for many years through recycling efforts, tree planting, green cleaning programs, alternative transportation incentives for employees.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
on their own LEED certified corporate campus.
Committed to the community and the environment, Kirksey designs high-performance, healthy buildings for all clients. This was formalized through the creation of the EcoServices team, a private think-tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
and consulting group whose focus is to mainstream environmentally-friendly building practices. The team educates other firm members and the community on green building
Green building
Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
practices. A basicGREEN program was developed that prescribes sustainable design
Sustainable design
Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.-Intentions:The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental...
measures to be implemented on every project, regardless of LEED Certification and at no added cost to the project.
Kirksey currently has over 27000000 sq ft (2,508,382.1 m²) of LEED projects certified or underway, and has designed many of Houston's first
LEED buildings including:
- 1st LEED certified building in Houston (Silver, New Construction)
- 1st LEED CI in Houston (Silver, Commercial Interiors)
- 1st LEED EB in Texas (Existing Building, our own corporate headquarters)
- 1st LEED CS (Core and Shell), which is also the 1st Gold certified building, in Houston
Kirksey retrofitted their building to become the first LEED EB (existing building) certified in Texas as well as operating internally as a green company for many years through recycling efforts, tree planting, green cleaning programs, alternative transportation incentives for employees.
Notable Kirksey projects
- Kirksey Headquarters, Houston, Texas – LEED for Existing Buildings
- SpawGlass Construction Corporation, Houston, Texas – LEED Silver for New Construction
- American Heart Association, Houston, Texas – LEED Certified for New Construction
- Satterfield and Pontikes Headquarters, Houston, Texas – LEED Gold for Core and Shell
- DNA Westway I, Houston, Texas – LEED Gold for Core and Shell
- HealthSouth Medical Center, "Digital Hospital", Birmingham, Alabama
- Palisade Palms, Galveston, Texas
- University of Texas Health Science Center, South Texas Research Facility, San Antonio, Texas
- University of HoustonUniversity of HoustonThe University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, Calhoun Lofts, Houston, Texas - Texas A&M University, Agriculture Headquarters Building, College Station, Texas
- The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston, Texas
- Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza, Houston, Texas
- Texas Woman’s University, Houston, Texas
- Tellepsen Downtown Family YMCA, Houston, Texas
Awards
- #1 Largest Houston-Area Green Architect, Houston Business Journal, 2010
- Houston Business Journal’s Landmark Award for the University of Houston Calhoun Lofts and CITYCENTRE (The Lofts), 2010
- ASID Design Award, First Place: Hospitality/Restaurant for FiveSeven Grille, 2009
- IIDA Design Excellence Award - Small Corporate for Central Houston Offices, 2009
- Houston Business Journal’s Landmark Award for Yellowstone Academy and Texas Southern University's School of Public Affairs, 2009
- Texas Construction Magazine's Best of 09', Best of Office Projects for Friedkin Companies Campus, 2009
- Houston Business Journal’s Fast 100 Enterprise Champion, 2008
- Mayor’s Proud Partner Award, 2008
- Greater Houston Partnership, 2008 Quality of Life Visionary Green Building Award
- Houston Business Journal, Houston’s Best Places to Work, 150-500 employees, 2008
- USGBC Outstanding Environmental Team for SYSCO, 2008
- Texas Construction Magazine's Best of 08’, Award of Excellence Higher Education for Houston Community College Learning Hub & Science Center, 2008
- Texas Construction Magazine's Best of 08’, Best of Office/Corporate for Granite Westchase II, 2008
- Greater Houston Partnership’s Houston’s Greatest Mid-Size Company, 2007
- TSA Design Award, Commercial New Construction, 2007
- IIDA Design Excellence Award - Institutional/Education, 2007
- AIA Houston Chapter, Award: Interiors, 2007
- AIA Houston Chapter, Honor Award: Architecture, 2007
- American Subcontractor’s Association, Houston Chapter, A/E Firm of the Year, 2007