New Botanical Research Institute of Texas Campus is a LEED Platinum Green Think Tank

The new campus for the <a href="http://www.brit.org/" target="_blank">Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT)</a> is a LEED Platinum "think tank" dedicated to the research and documentation of botany. Designed by <a href="http://www.h3hc.com/#/1438" target="_blank">H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture</a>, BRIT actively works to reduce energy and water consumption, enhance indoor environmental quality, and use recyclable and renewable materials. The center features an office and educational building along with a protected archive space to house plants and research material. Covered with a green roof and powered by the sun, the BRIT is committed to environmental sustainability.

The <a href="http://www.brit.org/" target="_blank">Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT)</a> is located in Fort Worth, Texas and provides new research facilities for the scientists dedicated to the study of plants and the living world.

Completed in 2011, BRIT was designed by <a href="http://www.h3hc.com/#/1438" target="_blank">H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture</a> and is divided into two structures.

The "Think Block" houses administration and research offices, an education department, an exhibit area, and public spaces, while the “Archive Block” houses the herbarium and library.

The Think Block is a two-story precast concrete structure that features solar passive design with a large sloping roof.

Large north facing windows and sun shading pull in lots of natural daylight without too much solar heat gain.

The Archive Block is a very protected and heavily insulated building to ensure ideal temperature and humidity conditions for the botanical specimens.

The Think Block is topped off with a green roof composed of regional sedums and grasses of the native Fort Worth Prairie.

The roof also works in conjunction with a stormwater management program to limit runoff and provides space for the photovoltaic system. T

The facilities also feature geothermal heating and cooling and recycled and reclaimed materials.

Inside the herbarium - thousands of botanical specimens are stored here.

The BRIT was awarded with a LEED Platinum certification in July of 2011.

Research labs inside the BRIT.

Site plan of the BRIT.