Every year, the American Institute of Architecture announces 10 of the best green building projects for the year. This year’s results are in, and all of the projects are just as cool as you would expect. Keep reading to see pictures of all the winners.
Charles Hostler Student Center (VJAA) Beirut, Lebanon
Photo credit: Paul Crosby Studio
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Building type(s): Campus, Recreation, Assembly, Other, Restaurant, Higher education
New construction
104,000 sq. feet (9,690 sq. meters)
Project scope: a single building
Urban setting
Completed February 2008
Chartwell (EHDD Architecture) Seaside, CA
Photo credit: Michael David Rose
Location: Seaside, CA
Building type(s): K-12 education
New construction
21,200 sq. feet (1,970 sq. meters)
Project scope: multiple buildings
Suburban setting
Completed October 2006
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1–Level: Platinum (57 points)
Gish Apartments (OJK Architecture and Planning) San Jose, CA
Photo credit: Bernard Andre
Location: San Jose, CA
Building type(s): Special needs housing, Multi-unit residential, Retail
New construction
75,200 sq. feet (6,990 sq. meters)
Project scope: 4-story building
Urban setting
Completed June 2007
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1–Level: Gold (40 points)
Rating: Build it Green GreenPoint Rated –Level: 145 points
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Homes Pilot–Level: Gold (74.5 points)
Great River Energy Headquarters (Perkins+Will) Maple Grove, MN
Photo credit: Don F. Wong
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Building type(s): Commercial office
New construction
166,000 sq. feet (15,400 sq. meters)
Project scope: 4-story building
Suburban setting
Completed March 2008
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2.2–Level: Platinum (56 points)
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (Ross Barney Architects) Evanston, IL
Photo credit: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing
Location: Evanston, IL
Building type(s): Community, Daycare, Other, K-12 education, Assembly, Library
New construction
31,600 sq. feet (2,940 sq. meters)
Project scope: a single building
Urban setting
Completed February 2008
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1–Level: Platinum (53 points)
Portola Valley Town Center (Siegel & Strain Architects) Portola Valley, CA
Photo credit: © Cesar Rubio, courtesy of Siegel & Strain Architects
Location: Portola Valley, CA
Building type(s): Other, Park, Assembly, Public order & safety, Library
New construction
19,900 sq. feet (1,850 sq. meters)
Project scope: multiple buildings
Suburban setting
Completed October 2008
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center (Lake|Flato Architects) Orange, TX
Photo credit: Hester + Hardaway Photography
Location: Orange, TX
Building type(s): Restaurant, Park, Interpretive Center, Retail
80% new construction, 20% renovation
30,000 sq. feet (2,790 sq. meters)
Project scope: multiple buildings
Urban setting
Completed March 2008
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1–Level: Platinum
Synergy at Dockside Green (Busby Perkins+Will Architects Co.) Victoria, BC
Photo credit: Enrico Dagostini
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Building type(s): Retail, Multi-unit residential
New construction
178,000 sq. feet (16,600 sq. meters)
Project scope: multiple buildings
Urban setting
Completed March 2008
Rating: Canada Green Building Council LEED-NC –Level: Platinum (63 Points)
The Terry Thomas (Weber Thompson) Seattle, WA
Photo credit: Gabe Hanson
Location: Seattle, WA
Building type(s): Commercial office, Retail
New construction
64,600 sq. feet (6,000 sq. meters)
Project scope: 6-story building
Urban setting
Completed April 2008
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-CI, v.2 –Level: Platinum (43 points)
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-CS 2.0–Level: Gold (39 points)
World Headquarters for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (DesignLAB Architects) Yarmouthport, MA
Photo credit: Peter Vanderwarker
Location: Yarmouthport, MA
Building type(s): Other
55,200 sq. feet (5,130 sq. meters)
Project scope: multiple buildings
Rural setting
Completed January 2008
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2.2–Level: Gold
