Outstanding Achievement Awards
In addition to entering the main competition categories, entrants meeting the criteria below may also apply for Outstanding Achievement Awards.
Best Greenhouse Gas Reduction Design
Sponsored by: AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE)
This award will recognize the top design for adaptability and deconstruction to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of building materials by selecting durable, low embodied energy materials and extending the life of building materials through design for adaptability and reuse, and correct sizing. Criteria include innovative design for adaptability GHG-reducing concepts that can be applied broadly in U.S. construction and the clarity of written and graphic information provided on how the project reduces GHG emissions over a standard building design. The submission must include a calculation of materials-based greenhouse gas reductions using a no cost, publically available GHG emissions calculator. The judges will consider the overall calculated materials-based greenhouse gas reductions, but that will not be the primary criteria. The judges will consider other alternative energy and energy conservation design features, but the primary focus of the judging will be on innovative design for adaptability and deconstruction and materials choices to reduce embodied energy and GHG emissions of building materials.
Best Green Job Creation
This award will recognize the top design or built project supporting the creation of inclusive Green Jobs through design for adaptability, deconstruction, and/or local building materials reuse. Criteria include innovative job creation concepts that can be applied locally in U.S. construction and the clarity of written and graphic information provided on how the project creates green jobs. The submission should explain Green Job training opportunities and how the job creation differs from traditional construction job creation. While broad green building job training projects can be considered, the primary focus of the judging will be inclusive Green Job creation models to support design for adaptability, deconstruction, and local building materials reuse.
Best School Design (K-12)
Sponsored by: Collaborative for High Performance Schools
This award will recognize the top design having opportunities for real world application and replication in a K-12 school learning or activity space. Entries may include classrooms, gyms, multipurpose rooms, entire school site, or relocatables. The focus will be on design for adaptability and deconstruction to promote resource conservation and local building materials reuse, development of innovative yet practical concepts, and green materials choices. The submission must include an explanation of how the design can be used as a teaching tool. Overall green building design aspects will be considered, but the primary focus will be on innovative design for adaptability and deconstruction.