University of Miami - Frost Institute for Chemistry & Molecular Science

TWOTRAILS™, serving as high performance consultants and verifiers, supported the project team in ensuring that the Frost Institute met its ambitious sustainability goals. Our high-performance building expertise helped align design, construction, and operations with both scientific excellence and environmental responsibility.

Building Features

The Frost Institute was designed as a flexible, future-ready research hub. The building includes:

• State-of-the-art wet labs with reconfigurable utilities and movable benches

• Specialized Cryo-TEM / STEM suites for advanced molecular research

• Glass-walled instrument rooms to promote visibility and collaboration

• A two-story commons and seminar spaces to encourage interaction

• A rooftop terrace and green garden for meetings, stormwater management, and campus resilience

Sustainable Design and Performance

As part of the University of Miami’s commitment to green building, the project achieved LEED Gold Certification through a combination of high-performance strategies:

• Projected 29% lower energy use compared to baseline lab facilities

• 35% water use reduction through efficient fixtures and systems

• High-performance glazing and daylighting design for natural light and reduced energy demand

• Green roof terrace to reduce heat island effect and enhance sustainability

• Infrastructure flexibility to minimize future waste during renovations or expansions