The Sustainable Architecture awards program recognizes the efforts of licensed Connecticut architects who have developed and demonstrated ways to decrease Green House Gases, reduce energy use and demand, and conserve water use in the built or natural environments. Equally important is the creation of durable, comfortable, and healthy spaces. The award attempts to raise the public awareness of the current climate crisis and the massive role played by construction, maintenance, and operations of the built environment.
This award also honors the climate change initiatives of AIA Connecticut and Connecticut Passive House to secure a more sustainable and environmentally thriving future.
2023 Sustainable Architecture Award Jury
Jacob Deva Racusin
Director of Building Science and Sustainability
New Frameworks
Efrie Escott
Sustainability Transformation Leader
Schneider Electric
Katie MacDonald, AIA, NCARB Architect
Cofounder
After Architecture, LLC
Categories
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
Eligibility:
- This awards program is open to architects licensed and practicing in Connecticut.
- Projects can be of any building type, in Connecticut or elsewhere, provided they fall into one of the three judging categories.
Built:
- 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:
- 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
Judging Criteria:
The Jurors will take into consideration and acknowledge:
- Creation of durable, comfortable, and healthy spaces
- Developed and demonstrated ways in energy reduction and water conservation
- Projects must have been completed within the last three years
Submission Requirements:
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)
Fees:
Member of AIA Connecticut: $100.00
Member of Connecticut Passive House: $100.00
Non-Member Registered Architect: $250.00
Important Dates:
Registration opens: April 21, 2023
Registration deadline: May 5, 2023
Submission deadline: May 26, 2023
2022 Sustainable Architecture Award Winners: