The U.S. Green Building Council North Carolina (USGBCNC) community has announced the winners of its annual Sustainable Business Awards. The awards were presented at the 2017 Green Gala on Sept. 21
“Green buildings are in high demand because they save money, improve the health and wellness of occupants, and create jobs in an industry that is undergoing explosive growth,” said USGBCNC director Sarah Beth Harkless. “These projects represent the cutting edge of sustainable building in our region, and we are proud to recognize them.”
The winners list includes:
Innovative Design, New Construction
Bloc Design of Charlotte, for their work on the Long Term Acute Care & Rehabilitation Center in Pineville. Located on the third floor of the Long Term Acute Care and Rehabilitation facility, the rooftop therapy and healing garden includes more than 6,200 sq. ft. of intensive green roof area.
Innovative Design, Interiors
tvsdesign of Atlanta, for their work on LPL Financial Carolinas Campus in Fort Mill. Located on a 16-acre densely wooded site, the project is designed around net zero energy goals, and maximizes natural light and views.
Innovation in Residential Building
Ellison Building Company of Wilmington, for their work on the Ellison Passive House in Wilmington. Passive houses are known for rigorous energy efficiency standards, while also incorporating stringent standards for water management and indoor air quality. The Ellison Passive House is the third certified passive house in North Carolina.
Community Champion Award
Grifols Therapeutics Incorporated of Clayton. Grifols’ Clayton facility has had a positive impact in Johnston County. They have constructed the first two LEED certified buildings in the county, supported environmental learning programs in local school systems, and actively protected wildlife habitats on their site.
Green Schools Award
Elm Engineering Inc. of Charlotte and Innovative Design Inc. of Raleigh, for their work on the Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Ashville. Isaac Dickson is pursuing LEED Platinum and zero net-energy status, which means it plans to produce as much energy as it uses. Teachers at Isaac Dickson use the building as a teaching tool, educating students about sustainability through its solar panels, storm water management system, lighting systems and more.
Volunteer Leadership Award
Traci Rose Rider. Rider is the coordinator for the Design Initiative for Sustainability and Health, Research Associate, Research Assistant Professor of Architecture, and Ph.D. Faculty at North Carolina State University’s College of Design. Dr. Rider’s research has focused on the relationship between the design culture and the notion of sustainability, exploring factors impacting environmental attitudes of designers including environmental education, learned associations, and informal influences. She has been a dedicated USGBC volunteer for nearly a decade.
Exceptional Implementation of Sustainable Technology
Superior Mechanical Services, Inc. of Greensboro, for their work on Duke Energy’s hydro station in Stanley. This project involved installing new ice storage technology for building cooling, allowing Duke Power to generate the power required to off peak times and use higher efficiency instead of low efficiency power generation plants, cutting carbon emissions. It also reduces the requirement for additional power generating plants due to better ability for load management.
