MIAMI, November 30, 2011 – MGE Architects, a leading architecture firm specializing in education, healthcare and aviation, today announced that one of its signature projects, the University of Miami’s Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center, has achieved LEED Gold certification.  The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System was designed by the US Green Building Council to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings.

The Newman Alumni Center at the University of Miami was designed specifically to reflect the historical architecture of Coral Gables and is a brand new four story, 72,000 square foot facility that includes a library, café, business center, executive conference room and multi-purpose room.  The space is intended to be a home away from home for UM alumni and the building is adorned with a grand mural depicting UM’s history and the library will house the university’s yearbooks dating back to its inception.  It also includes warm and inviting elements such as courtyards with pergolas, stone and glass walls, wood beam ceilings and paneling, stone floors and fountains.  

The Alumni Center was also named a winner in the 2011 “City Beautiful Awards, sponsored by the City of Coral Gables in conjunction with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.  The “City Beautiful” awards showcase the best examples of architectural achievement among the commercial properties in Coral Gables.  The project was selected from a group of five finalists in the Exterior Design Excellence category.

The architect of record team of MGE Architects was led by principal and UM alumnus Rolando Conesa, AIA, worked with Michael Dennis & Associates, Boston, MA, on the project design.

"As many of our principals and associates are graduates of the University of Miami, it has been a great honor to work on one of its signature campus buildings and have our work recognized by the local community," said Conesa.  "Coral Gables has a long standing tradition of architectural excellence and we are proud to make a contribution that will further enhance its reputation.”

About MGE Architects

MGE Architects provides architecture, master planning and interior design services for healthcare, educational and transportation projects in Florida and the Southeast. Headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla., the firm has completed more than 500 high-profile projects since its founding in 1982. Current and recent projects include Jackson South Community Hospital, Miami-Dade County Health Department Replacement Clinic; Northwestern University – Kellogg Campus and University of Miami – Alumni Center.  For more information, call (305) 444-0413 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mgearchitects.com.