Whitney Laboratory Academic Building

The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience’s new Marine Research Institute Building and Sea Turtle Research Center and Hospital in St. Augustine, Florida, is designed to support cutting-edge marine research and conservation efforts while minimizing its environmental impact. The 38,000-square-foot facility will house research labs, a sea turtle rehabilitation center, and educational spaces. Key sustainability features include energy-efficient systems such as advanced insulation and windows, LED lighting, and low-flow water fixtures, all of which help reduce energy and water consumption. The building also incorporates innovative cooling systems to improve efficiency and reduce energy use. The project is expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 175 metric tons per year, equivalent to the carbon offset by 208 acres of forest. Designed in collaboration with Lord Aeck Sargent and targeting LEED Gold certification, the facility will enhance collaboration between researchers and provide an advanced space for both biomedical and marine research, with completion slated for 2025​​​.