AIA Committee Names Top 10 Green Projects
WASHINGTION — An American Institute of Architects committee that focuses on sustainable design released the 2007 selections for the top 10 green projects, which include a university research center, a U.S. Courthouse and a water purification facility.
The Committee on the Environment released its selections for the program that started in 1997 in conjunction with Earth Day and the projects were honored May 3 at the American Institute of Architects National Convention in San Antonio .
Projects were selected based on design elements that integrated architecture with technology and natural systems. They make a positive contribution to their communities, improve comfort for building occupants, and reduce environmental impacts through various building strategies, according to the AIA.
The number of submissions for the program and the sophistication of projects has increased significantly, according to committee officials.
“This program examines a metrics that address context, transportation, energy, water, light and air, and other characteristics,” says Kira Gould, chair of the committee. “We are pleased to see design teams getting increasingly comfortable with such metrics, which suggests that performance standards are being effectively integrated into the design intent, rather than being understood as something separate.”
This year, the jury included David Brems, FAIA, Gillies Stransky Brems Smith PC; Alisdair McGregor, PE, Arup; John Quale, LEED AP, University of Virginia School of Architecture; Traci Rose Rider, LEED AP North Carolina State University; Anne Schopf, AIA, Mahlum Architects; and Susan Szenasy, editor in chief at Metropolis magazine.
Click the following links to read details about the this year’s top ten projects:
- EpiCenter, Artists for Humanity, Location: Boston; Architect: Arrowstreet Inc.
- Global Ecology Research Center, Location: Stanford, Calif.; Architect: EHDD Architects
- Government Canyon Visitor Center , Location: Helotes, Texas; Architect: Lake/Flato Architects.
- Hawaii Gateway Energy Center, Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Archiect: Ferraro Choi and Associates
- Heifer International, Location: Little Rock, Ark.; Architect: Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects, Ltd.
- Sidwell Friends Middle School, Location: Washington; Architect: Kieran Timberlake Associates
- Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse, Location: Eugene, Ore.; Architect: Morphosis and DLR Group
- Whitney Water Purification Facility,Location: New Haven, Conn.; Architect: Steven Holl Architects.
- Willingboro Master Plan & Public Library, Location: Willingboro, N.J.; Architect: Croxton Collaborative Architects, PC
- Z6 House, Location: Santa Monica, Calif.; ArchitectL LivingHomes, Ray Kappe