Beyond Green awards recognize high-performance buildings

Source: Sustainable Buildings Industry Council -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 3/1/2010 9:16:15 AM

The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) has announced the results of its 2009 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Awards. The event was held in partnership with the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC) and showcased high-performance buildings and initiatives. The event also kicks off an educational outreach program for policymakers, building trade professionals, and the general public.

The 2009 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Awards attracted more than 40 entries from projects across the country. Entries were judged based on the eight design objectives which define a high-performance building: Sustainability, Accessibility, Aesthetics, Cost-Effectiveness, Functionality, Productivity/Health, Historic sensitivity, and Safety and Security.

The highly rigorous competition challenged public and private sector practitioners to demonstrate the successful application of the whole building approach by showing how they integrated the eight design objectives into their projects. The program is open to both SBIC members and nonmembers.

Submissions were entered in two categories: High-Performance Buildings and High-Performance Initiatives. High-Performance Building entries included commercial, government, institutional, residential, and school buildings. High-Performance Initiatives included policy programs, educational initiatives, consumer awareness efforts, research product development, and new construction processes.

SBIC's 2009 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Award Winners

Category A - High-Performance Buildings
First Place
Empire State Building, Integrated Energy Efficient Retrofit, New York, NY. Submitted by: Rocky Mountain Institute, Jones Lang LaSalle, Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls

Citations
Emerson's Energy-Efficient Global Data Center, St. Louis Innovative Solution for a Niche Market Application Submitted by: Emerson Electric Company

Charlotte Vermont House, Charlotte, VTUnique Regional Design Response Submitted by: Pill - Maharam Architects

Kroon Hall, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CTIntegrated Design ProcessSubmitted by: Centerbrook Architects and Planners

Category B - High-Performance Initiatives
Citation
Water Independence in Oregon's Buildings, Portland, ORStewardship of Water ResourcesSubmitted by: SERA Architects & Interface Engineering

The recognized projects will be featured on SBIC's web site, described in depth as case studies on the Whole Building Design Guide, and integrated into a variety of SBIC educational programs.