Sustainable Architecture Awards

The Sustainable Architecture Awards program honors architects who have innovatively addressed environmental challenges by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy consumption and demand, and conserving water in both built and natural environments. Equally vital is the creation of spaces that are durable, comfortable, and promote health and well-being. The program also seeks to raise public awareness of the climate crisis and the significant impact that building construction, maintenance, and operations have on our planet.

This biennial award honors the climate change initiatives of AIA Connecticut and Connecticut Passive House to secure a more sustainable and environmentally thriving future.

2025 Registration Opens:  April 21
Registration Deadline: May 2
Submission Deadline: May 30

2025 Jurors

Naomi Darling, AIA
Naomi Darling Architecture
South Hadley, MA

Timothy Lock, AIA
OPAL
Belfast, ME

Nina Kagan
475 High Performance Building Supply
Brooklyn, NY

Excellence

Restoration of the Brick House (by Philip Johnson, 1949) | The Glass House

Photo: Michael Biondo

Jury comments: A methodical, almost scholarly intervention guided by fierce adherence to preservation best practices, made more prominent yet by the team’s acknowledgement of change as a distinctive feature to be preserved at this unique modern historic site. High profile project requiring extensive research and restoration – great to have the building open to the public again.

Excellence

State Capitol Laylight & Skylight Restoration | Crosskey Architects LLC

Photo: Ian Christmann

Jury comments: Exemplary restoration project that demonstrated mastery of preservation technology, planning, and a high level of craftsmanship.

Excellence

Sterling Memorial Library Linonia & Brothers Reading Room |
Apicella + Bunton Architects

Photo: ©Frederick Charles

Jury comments: Very well presented, beautiful restoration/preservation project with a remarkably sensitive intervention.

Merit

Lee’s Academy | Duo Dickinson Architect

Photo: Bob Gundersen

Jury comments: Well-executed rehab and ambitious project for small organization to put a local landmark to better use.

New Construction (Built)

  • Single building
  • Related group of buildings
  • Interior architecture
  • Additions -Restorations or adaptive reuse projects

 

Renovations, Adaptive Re‐Use, or Retro‐Fits (Built)

  • Single building
  • Related group of buildings
  • Interior architecture
  • Additions
  • Restorations or adaptive reuse projects

 

Conceptual or Research‐Based Buildings (Built or Unbuilt)

  • Purely theoretical
  • Visionary projects
  • Project may be designed with or without a client
  • This awards program is open to architects licensed in Connecticut.
  • Projects can be of any building type, in Connecticut or elsewhere, provided they fall into one of the three judging categories.
  • Projects must have been completed within the last five years.

Built (New Construction or Renovations, Adaptive Re‐Use, or Retro‐Fits or Conceptual or Research‐Based Buildings):

  • Built architectural projects may be a single building, a related group of buildings, interior architecture, additions, restorations, or adaptive use projects
  • Identify the building type and provide a brief project description
  • You may include the project concept, program and client requirements, context and site information, special constraints, project total square feet, year of completion, construction budget or cost, and any design challenges and solutions
  • List construction type, materials, mechanical systems, and other pertinent technical data

Unbuilt (Conceptual or Research‐Based Buildings):

  • Unbuilt architectural design, for which there is no current intent to build, may include purely theoretical, visionary projects with or without a client
  • Identify project type and provide brief project information
  • You may include such data as project concept, program and client requirements, context and site information, constraints or design challenges, and total project square footage

Project Information submitted for consideration must include:

  • The Project Name and Location
  • Project Description (max of 350 words), including:
    • Square footage
    • Context and site information
    • Project design goals and metrics of success including but not limited to:
      • Yearly energy used (Low Energy Designs) or generated (Energy Positive Designs)
      • Air changes per hour @ 50 Pascal (blower door test results) 
      • Materials & Methods used for insulation
      • Materials & Methods used for construction
      • Metrics that demonstrates the concept and continued sustainability
    • Whether the project is designed to or certified by voluntary green building standards, including but not limited to:
      • Passive House (Phi or PhiUS)
      • Net-Zero
      • Living Building Challenge
      • LEED
      • Green Globes
      • Energy Star
    • Identification of structures that may have more than one purpose or may have addressed unique challenges 
  • Minimum of 10, maximum of 12 photos, including:
    • 3-5 photos addressing the exterior (with at least 1 that includes the site context)
    • 3-5 photos addressing the interior (interior photographs should indicate that the building is furnished, and permission to show these should be cleared by the Owner prior to submission)

 

Do not include any identifying firm information in any part of your submission. This includes file names because they are visible to jurors. Submissions with identifying information will automatically be disqualified.

Jurors will take into consideration and acknowledge:

  • Creation of durable, comfortable, and healthy spaces
  • Developed and demonstrated ways in energy reduction and water conservation
  • Materials, mechanical systems, and technical data
  • Site plans, before and after images
  • AIA Connecticut member: $150.00
  • Connecticut Passive House: $150.00
  • Non-Member Registered Architect: $300.00
Click Here for tips and tricks for award submissions based on jury comments.
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