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Lisa Lilienthal
For Melaver, Inc.
404 255 1577
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Whitaker Building Awarded by Savannah AIA.

(SAVANNAH, GA (December 29, 2005) — The Savannah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has given a 2005 Award for Architectural Merit to the Whitaker Building in Savannah’s historic district. The award was presented to Dawson Wissmach Architects who designed the building’s extensive renovation in 2002. The Whitaker Building is owned by Melaver, Inc., a Savannah-based real estate development firm.

Originally built in 1890, the Whitaker Building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 10,000 square foot building was also given a LEED Silver Designation under the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for demonstrating a commitment to sustainability by meeting the highest performance standards. The building features restaurant, retail and office space.

Contributing to the Architectural Merit award was the fact that the building was renovated to modern standards while maintaining the structure’s original, historic design. Dawson Wissmach and Melaver agreed on the importance of balancing historic accuracy with environmentally sensitive design and construction. Where possible, the historic windows within the structure remained in use. However, to meet LEED standards, the storefront glass was coated with a film that lowers energy usage by blocking the transmission of heat and harmful UV rays into the building. All flooring materials were either original to the building or were installed during the renovation utilizing reclaimed flooring from old buildings in and around the Savannah area. Existing framing, brick and plaster were left exposed within the building to show how it was modified over time. Today the building serves as a living model for school, business and civic groups who frequently tour the facility.