Los Angeles — The Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara, designed by the Los Angeles office of Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (ZGF), has been recognized with a 2003 Calibre Award for Environmental Leadership, sponsored by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Southern California Chapter.

According to the awards jury, “The Bren School exemplifies the essence of the award...green interior design through a maximizing use of interior materials developed from renewable sources. The Bren School also carries this concept further by the continuing education of the public through teaching and research.”

The 84,672-square-foot Bren School was one of the first of 12 buildings in the United States to become Leadership and Energy in Environmental Design (LEED) certified. It also achieved the highest rating by the US Green Building Council – a LEED Platinum rating – making it one of the two greenest buildings, and the first platinum-rated research laboratory, in the country, as well as “the greenest building in California.”