Botanical Research Institute of Texas

Tour: The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) in Fort Worth.  It was presented by Sam Kieschnick, Assistant Collections Manager, and Richard Smart, Head of Public Programs. The building is a Platinum 2011 LEED certified. New bulding occupied in May 21, 2011. The cost to build it the project was 40 million and measures 70,000 square feet. It allows natural day light to illuminate the building. The carped is made from rubber (shoes, tires, etc) and sheep wool, ceiling is made from bamboo and wallpaper is made from linen. The wool and bamboo are rapid renewal resources. 97% of the former building was recycled. Living rooftop reflects a local prairie made from coconut fiber base, 5-8 inches of soil, and native plants. The backyard is urban prairie conservation. They capture storm water to water landscape. Land is leased from city for a fee of $1 a month.  BRIT is an independent nonprofit organization and most of the revenue comes from contributions, donations, and memberships. BRIT has child library, community volunteering, and focus on research of plants, research new species and monitoring biodiversity, species migration. The sustainable significance of the site visited is an example to other commercial business on how lookout for the environment and received a return on investment.  I feel this tour was very informative and collaborated lots of points towards sustainable development.  The knowledge learned from Jackson Murphy was applied as the description given for platinum building certification was actually applied in this building. The connection of this experience to my future will be for commercial and residential developers implement the work done by BRIT in their building designs. I can see a change in society with BRIT sustainable initiative, they will be able to educate more community and help them understand how sustainability can influence our future.

Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) Grand Opening Video by City of Fort Worth