2008 Awards of Excellence Announced During "Midsummer Night's Green"
by NCR Awards Committee
The National Capital Region chapter of the US Green Building Council announced the recipients of the chapter's First Annual Awards of Excellence during the organization's annual "Midsummer Night's Green" networking event on August 7, 2008, which was held at the World Bank Atrium. The National Capital Region chapter includes counties in Maryland adjacent to the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.
The USGBC NCR chapter developed the Awards program in order to recognize outstanding accomplishments in sustainable design and construction, to honor USGBC member firms that have adopted green practices into their mission, and to celebrate chapter members who have advanced sustainability in the chapter's region. The award recipients were selected by a distinguished panel of leaders from various fields in the sustainable design community and development industry.
Judges for the 2008 Awards program included: Dr. Raj Barr-Kumar, FAIA, president of the Barr Group International; Lidia Berger, Eastern Regional Director for HDR Sustainable Design Solutions; Mark Bisnow, founder and CEO of Bisnow on Business; John Maudlin-Jeronimo, FAIA, Associate Dean at University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation; Mark McInturff, principal at McInturff Architects; and Ed McMahon, holder of the Charles E. Fraser Chair on Sustainable Development at the Urban Land Institute.
Member of the Year Award: Paul Tseng, owner of Advanced Building Performance, received the chapter's first Member of the Year award. The award recognizes an individual who is a long-time practitioner of sustainability and an environmental steward.
Member Firm of the Year Award for a Client Firm was awarded to The Tower Companies and presented to members of the Abramson Family. The Tower Companies were honored for regional leadership in environmental stewardship through innovative corporate policies and strategies.
Member Firm Award of the Year for a Consultant Firm was awarded to the SmithGroup for their nationwide commitment to adopting the Architecture 2030 Challenge and finding solutions that help reduce their overall environmental footprint through operations, education, work environment and practice.
The Awards Committee also recognized several outstanding projects in the region for particular honor. The Committee presented awards for Small Project of the Year, Medium Project of the Year, Large Project of the Year, Federal Project of the Year, and a Legacy project.
Small Project of the Year Award was presented to Carter + Burton Architecture for their Yoga Studio project in Clarke County, Virginia.
Medium Project of the Year Award was presented to PN Hoffman for their project, The Alta at Thomas Circle in Washington, DC.
Large Project of the Year Award was presented to HOK Sport and HOK DC for their project, The Nationals Stadium in Washington, DC.
The Federal Project of the Year Award was presented to BBG-BBGM for their Pentagon Library and Conference Center project.
The Legacy Award of the Year Award was presented to Clark Construction in recognition of their entry, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Maryland. This was the first LEED Platinum-level office building in the world, demonstrating that a completely green building is an attainable reality.
Susan Donkers, Development Manager for PN Hoffman, also received recognition from the chapter as Board Member of the Year.
Winners received plaques designed and constructed by Rivanna Designs, a sustainable awards company.