Houston’s Hermann Park Lake Plaza was awarded LEED-gold certification. Designed by San Antonio-based Overland Partners Architects, the $11-million, eight-acre Hermann Park Lake Plaza opened in May 2009 as the threshold to the 445-acre Hermann Park.

The plaza features grounds with native plantings, five new buildings, a paddle-boat pavilion, mini-train depot, a cafe and terrace.

The project team included: Vaughn Construction, Houston, contractor; Walter P Moore, Houston, engineer; White Oak Studio, Houston, landscape architect; and developers Hermann Park Conservancy and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.