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Architecture

Top 10 American-designed green buildings of 2019 revealed

By Adam Williams
April 25, 2019
Top 10 American-designed green buildings of 2019 revealed
Toronto's Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent is one of the 2019 AIA COTE Top Ten Awards winners
Toronto's Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent is one of the 2019 AIA COTE Top Ten Awards winners
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Amherst College New Science Center was designed by Payette and provides new facilities to support the college’s science programs and students
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Amherst College New Science Center was designed by Payette and provides new facilities to support the college’s science programs and students
Amherst College New Science Center is located in Massachusetts
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Amherst College New Science Center is located in Massachusetts
Amherst College New Science Center includes skylights that reduce artificial lighting needs and roof-based solar panels for electricity
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Amherst College New Science Center includes skylights that reduce artificial lighting needs and roof-based solar panels for electricity
"Embracing the guiding concept of science on display, the activity in the building is visible to the campus and most interiors share intimate visual connections, enlivening the formerly marginalized campus precinct," says the AIA regarding the Amherst College New Science Center
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"Embracing the guiding concept of science on display, the activity in the building is visible to the campus and most interiors share intimate visual connections, enlivening the formerly marginalized campus precinct," says the AIA regarding the Amherst College New Science Center
Asilong Christian High School's water is provided by an on-site well that is operated by a solar-powered pump
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Asilong Christian High School's water is provided by an on-site well that is operated by a solar-powered pump
Asilong Christian High School is located in Kenya
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Asilong Christian High School is located in Kenya
Asilong Christian High School is designed by BNIM and provides education for children in a remote water-scarce area
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Asilong Christian High School is designed by BNIM and provides education for children in a remote water-scarce area
"This is the story of a community imagining a different future for themselves," says the AIA regarding Asilong Christian High School. "Seeking peace in the region through access to clean water, then enhancing educational opportunities for primary school graduates."
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"This is the story of a community imagining a different future for themselves," says the AIA regarding Asilong Christian High School. "Seeking peace in the region through access to clean water, then enhancing educational opportunities for primary school graduates."
Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent is designed by NADAAA, with Adamson Associates Architects and ERA Architects. The project involved the renovation and expansion of One Spadina Crescent for the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
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Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent is designed by NADAAA, with Adamson Associates Architects and ERA Architects. The project involved the renovation and expansion of One Spadina Crescent for the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
Toronto's Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent is one of the 2019 AIA COTE Top Ten Awards winners
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Toronto's Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent is one of the 2019 AIA COTE Top Ten Awards winners
Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent was constructed using original masonry from the site
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Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent was constructed using original masonry from the site
"Restoring the historic building while integrating a new addition with integrated stormwater management, a green roof, voided-slab floors, and ample daylight," says the AIA regarding Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent
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"Restoring the historic building while integrating a new addition with integrated stormwater management, a green roof, voided-slab floors, and ample daylight," says the AIA regarding Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent
Frick Environmental Center was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and is a center for environmental education. The building also received the Top Ten Plus Award, which honors exemplary post-occupancy performance
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Frick Environmental Center was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and is a center for environmental education. The building also received the Top Ten Plus Award, which honors exemplary post-occupancy performance
Frick Environmental Center is located in Pittsburgh, PA
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Frick Environmental Center is located in Pittsburgh, PA
Frick Environmental Center is rated LEED Platinum (a green building standard) due to its sustainability
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Frick Environmental Center is rated LEED Platinum (a green building standard) due to its sustainability
"The net-positive, LEED Platinum, and Living Building-certified center is a four-season welcome facility, hub, and gateway to Pittsburgh’s 644-acre Frick Park," says the AIA regarding Frick Environmental Center
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"The net-positive, LEED Platinum, and Living Building-certified center is a four-season welcome facility, hub, and gateway to Pittsburgh’s 644-acre Frick Park," says the AIA regarding Frick Environmental Center 
The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex was designed by Payette and expands Northeastern University’s Boston campus
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The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex was designed by Payette and expands Northeastern University’s Boston campus
The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex is located in Boston, MA
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The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex is located in Boston, MA
The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex includes efficient ventilation and heating systems
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The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex includes efficient ventilation and heating systems 
"The building form is intrinsically linked with high performance architecture through parametric design and energy modeling to achieve an integrated design," says the AIA regarding the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex
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"The building form is intrinsically linked with high performance architecture through parametric design and energy modeling to achieve an integrated design," says the AIA regarding the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex
Lakeside Senior Apartments includes solar panels for producing electricity and hot water
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Lakeside Senior Apartments includes solar panels for producing electricity and hot water
Lakeside Senior Apartments is located in Oakland, California
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Lakeside Senior Apartments is located in Oakland, California
Lakeside Senior Apartments was designed by David Baker Architects and provides 92 permanently affordable homes for low-income and special-needs, formerly homeless seniors
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Lakeside Senior Apartments was designed by David Baker Architects and provides 92 permanently affordable homes for low-income and special-needs, formerly homeless seniors
"Providing generous indoor and outdoor community spaces this high-density service-rich affordable housing project is designed to the senior’s ability to live independently as long as is comfortable," says the AIA regarding Lakeside Senior Apartments
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"Providing generous indoor and outdoor community spaces this high-density service-rich affordable housing project is designed to the senior’s ability to live independently as long as is comfortable," says the AIA regarding Lakeside Senior Apartments 
North Transfer Station was designed by Mahlum Architects and creates a new recycling station for the city
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North Transfer Station was designed by Mahlum Architects and creates a new recycling station for the city 
North Transfer Station is located in Seattle, Washington
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North Transfer Station is located in Seattle, Washington
"One of the most community-friendly dumps in America, the North Transfer Station is in a thriving Seattle neighborhood and provides 55,500 sq ft [roughly 5,000 sq m] of public park," says the AIA regarding North Transfer Station
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"One of the most community-friendly dumps in America, the North Transfer Station is in a thriving Seattle neighborhood and provides 55,500 sq ft [roughly 5,000 sq m] of public park," says the AIA regarding North Transfer Station
North Transfer Station features solar power and efficient water systems
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North Transfer Station features solar power and efficient water systems
Oregon Zoo Education Center was designed by Opsis Architecture and aims to inspire visitors to engage in sustainable actions and lifestyle choices
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Oregon Zoo Education Center was designed by Opsis Architecture and aims to inspire visitors to engage in sustainable actions and lifestyle choices  
Oregon Zoo Education Center is located in Portland, Oregon
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Oregon Zoo Education Center is located in Portland, Oregon 
"The wood and steel structure design derives its curving and woven biophilic forms from nests created by small animals making shelter for life," says the AIA regarding Oregon Zoo Education Center
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"The wood and steel structure design derives its curving and woven biophilic forms from nests created by small animals making shelter for life," says the AIA regarding Oregon Zoo Education Center 
The St. Patrick's Cathedral project involved the renovation of the historic building, designed by Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architect
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The St. Patrick's Cathedral project involved the renovation of the historic building, designed by Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architect 
St. Patrick's Cathedral is located in New York City
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St. Patrick's Cathedral is located in New York City
The St. Patrick's Cathedral renovation took nine years and cost US$177 million
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The St. Patrick's Cathedral renovation took nine years and cost US$177 million
"The project scope included preservation of all exterior and interior surfaces, a retrofit of sustainable systems, a 10-well geothermal system and upgrades to the landscape," says the AIA regarding St. Patrick's Cathedral. "All work was conducted while the Cathedral welcomed five million visitors annually."
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"The project scope included preservation of all exterior and interior surfaces, a retrofit of sustainable systems, a 10-well geothermal system and upgrades to the landscape," says the AIA regarding St. Patrick's Cathedral. "All work was conducted while the Cathedral welcomed five million visitors annually."
Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center was designed by MSR Design and provides learning opportunities for children and adults about the lives of bees and other pollinators
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Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center was designed by MSR Design and provides learning opportunities for children and adults about the lives of bees and other pollinators
Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center is located in the University of Minnesota
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Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center is located in the University of Minnesota
Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center incorporates a 120 year old barn
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Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center incorporates a 120 year old barn
"The practical beauty of traditional farm buildings inspired the Bee Center’s simple forms, its siting, material selections, and its passive design strategies," says the AIA regarding the Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center
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"The practical beauty of traditional farm buildings inspired the Bee Center’s simple forms, its siting, material selections, and its passive design strategies," says the AIA regarding the Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center
View gallery - 39 images

The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (COTE) has revealed the winners of this year's COTE Top Ten Awards. The annual awards showcase the best new examples of sustainable architecture by American firms.

As was the case in previous years, the 2019 COTE Top Ten Awards consists of buildings that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) judges feel exemplify design excellence and environmental performance. The projects can be located anywhere in the world but must be designed by firms licensed in the United States.

New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral renovation, by Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architects, is a clear standout. The project took nine years to complete and cost a total of US$177 million. Impressively, the work was carried out while the cathedral remained open to visitors.

The St. Patrick's Cathedral project involved the renovation of the historic building, designed by Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architect
The St. Patrick's Cathedral project involved the renovation of the historic building, designed by Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architect 

The renovation fixed cosmetic issues like tired stone and plasterwork and also involved replacing the aging heating and water systems with efficient ventilation systems, geothermal heating and cooling, plus a green roof to aid stormwater runoff. According to the AIA, the work resulted in the cathedral achieving a 29 percent reduction in annual energy use – no mean feat for a 138-year-old building.

BNIM's Asilong Christian High School is also impressive. Constructed in a remote area of northwest Kenya, the project serves as a high school campus for up to 320 students.

Asilong Christian High School is located in Kenya
Asilong Christian High School is located in Kenya

The sustainable features added by BNIM make good sense in the water-scarce environment. Composting toilets are installed, as is a well operated by solar powered pump. Rainwater is captured and stored for irrigation, washing dishes and laundry, while all power is provided by solar panels that are connected to a battery array.

Head to the gallery to see more on these and the rest of the projects highlighted in the 2019 COTE Top Ten Awards.

Source: AIA

View gallery - 39 images

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ArchitectureBuilding and ConstructionAwardsSustainableAmerican Institute of Architects
2 comments
Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

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ljaques
Wow, most of these buildings were well designed and modest. That is very unusual. Kudos to you for that. Others were not.
It saddens me to see so much public money wasted on buildings like the Portland Zoo structure. Some $1.7 million, when a smaller, better-scaled building would have sufficed. Twenty foot ceilings and massive beams have nothing to do with education. Our local library wants to move from their structure and build a 27 million dollar library for a city of 33,000 people. The sheer waste sickens me.
DonH
I hardly have a what a clue what sustainable means any more. Is it a dog whistle meaning I have right to have my work published. Whatever. The OLD Notre Dame was sustainable. How many centuries did it last??