2701 Australian: A Unique Partnership

The Quantum Foundation Lends a Helping Hand

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When
hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma destroyed the West Palm Beach home of
the American Lung Association of Southeast Florida (ALAFSE), they provided
a unique opportunity for ALA and Quantum Foundation to partner on one of
Palm Beach County's most innovative construction projects.

Originally conceived as a 6000 square foot renovation by ALAFSE using
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, the
inclusion of Quantum Foundation's first permanent home in the plans
ultimately yielded a 14,000 square foot LEED-registered building with the
goal of silver certification. Co-owned by Quantum and ALAFSE, the building
features two stories, a large community room, and offices for both
organizations.

In participating in the renovation and expansion of 2701 Australian,
Quantum Foundation is investing in a West Palm Beach neighborhood with
significant potential for future economic expansion. Quantum anticipates
that its economic investment will be just one of many to come, building on
the work of Urban Youth Impact, Samaritan Gardens, Urban League, and others
who are also making significant investments on the Australian Avenue
corridor.

In dedicating its new offices on May 30, 2008, Quantum Foundation
issued the following statement, signaling its intent to invest further in
its new neighborhood: "Quantum Foundation believes that investments in the
human infrastructure of a neighborhood go hand-in-hand with bricks and
mortar investments. We are initiating a new set of community investments in
2008, and members of Quantum Foundation's Board of Trustees have in
multiple spring 2008 meetings, endorsed these new directions. Shortly, new
funding opportunities will be made available to nonprofit agencies in our
neighborhood, and we look forward to partnering with agencies throughout
both our neighborhood and Palm Beach County in improving the health and
well-being of county residents. These new funding opportunities will total
at least $500,000 in 2008 alone, and we look forward to the collaborative
enterprises that will use these dollars on behalf of the people we seek to
serve."

Close to municipal amenities and on a main bus line, the project
incorporated recycling, mass transit use, and bicycle racks. Using local
vendors and materials reduced transportation costs during construction.

The interior finishes are traditional in design, still somewhat
atypical for green construction, which is often modern or contemporary.
However, traditional design elements were accomplished using recycled
content in finish materials, bamboo flooring, sustainable (Forest
Stewardship Council) wood products in office and community room furniture,
low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound-emitting) carpet, paint, sealants and
adhesives, and eco-friendly drapery and furniture fabrics. Energy-star
rated appliances are featured in kitchen spaces, and low flow toilets and
waterless urinals further reduce water consumption.

In its interior, the building features energy efficient
automatic-sensor lighting. With outside views from all full time occupied
spaces, natural sunlight also illuminates interior hallways and spaces
through the use of clear and frosted glasses between offices and interior
spaces.

Cooling costs are reduced through the use of reflective roofing
materials, thermal zones for higher levels of control and energy reduction,
Variable Frequency Drive Controllers (VFDs) for air conditioning
air-handling units, and limited southern window exposures.

For drought-tolerant landscaping, more than 50 native trees and more
than 1,000 shrubs were planted. In addition, a water efficient sprinkler
system with rain sensors reduces water consumption.

The American Lung Associations of Florida's mission is to prevent lung
disease and promote lung health through research, education, and advocacy.
The American Lung Association of Florida funds vital research on the causes
of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the
public, the American Lung Association is "Improving Life, One Breath at a
Time." For more general information about the American Lung Association of
Florida please visit http://www.lungfla.org or call 561-659-7644.

The mission of the Quantum Foundation is to advance health, education
and community betterment for the residents of Palm Beach County. Since
inception Quantum has awarded funds to initiate 616 grants within the
county totaling over $73 million.

In addition, we have forged partnerships both in and outside the
county. These partnerships have resulted in matching dollars totaling over
$60 million as of May, 2008.





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Via: Healthcare