by Rebecca Walker — April 17, 2009—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has named the year’s top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design, selected by the AIA’s Committee on the Environment (COTE).
Many of the new buildings have achieved LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of achievement under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. Most make use of natural daylighting, ventilation, and shading, and draw on such energy technologies as radiant heating and cooling, evaporative cooling, displacement cooling, waste heat recovery, water-source heat pumps, variable-speed pumps and fans, lighting controls, high-performance windows and doors, automated exterior blinds and louvers, and energy-efficient appliances and equipment.
The winners are:
- Charles Hostler Student Center (VJAA) Beirut, Lebanon
- Chartwell (EHDD Architecture) Seaside, California
- Gish Apartments (OJK Architecture and Planning) San Jose, California
- Great River Energy Headquarters (Perkins+Will) Maple Grove, Minnesota
- Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (Ross Barney Architects) Evanston, Illinois
- Portola Valley Town Center (Siegel & Strain Architects) Portola Valley, California
- Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center (Lake|Flato Architects) Orange, Texas
- Synergy at Dockside Green (Busby Perkins+Will Architects Co.) Victoria, British Columbia
- The Terry Thomas (Weber Thompson) Seattle, Washington
- World Headquarters for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (DesignLAB Architects) Yarmouthport, Msassachusetts.
For more information, see the AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects Web site.
