AIA Announces Top Ten Green Projects for 2009

The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA-COTE) has announced its Top Ten Green Projects for 2009. Full profiles of these projects are available at www.aiatopten.org and at www.buildinggreen.com.

Charles Hostler Student Center: An athletic facility and gathering space at the American University of Beirut, designed by Vincent James Associates Architects, that features lowered cooling loads as well as energy and water systems that reduce impact on local infrastructure.

Chartwell: A school overlooking Monterey Bay, California, designed by EHDD Architecture, that incorporates natural ventilation, daylighting, radiant heating, and photovoltaics to meet its goal of net-zero electricity use.

Gish Family Apartments: Affordable housing in San Jose, California, designed by OJK Architects and Planners, that features high-density development, passive heating and cooling strategies and a photovoltaic system.

Great River Energy Headquarters: A nonprofit electric cooperative office in Maple Grove, Minnesota, designed by Perkins + Will, that features onsite renewable energy, highly efficient mechanical systems, and many water-reuse strategies.

International Fund for Animal Welfare World Headquarters: An office building on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, designed by designLAB architects, that harmonizes with its historic, ecologically rich surroundings and features both high- tech and low-tech water-management strategies.

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation: A synagogue in Evanston, Illinois, designed by Ross Barney Architects, that features passive-solar design and many salvaged materials.

Portola Valley Town Center: A group of civic buildings in Portola Valley, California, designed by Siegel & Strain Architects, that features a small construction footprint, restoration of the site’s environment, and several passive design features.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens: An interpretive center in Orange, Texas, designed by Lake|Flato Architects, that sits lightly on the ecologically sensitive site with small building footprints and outdoor circulation areas.

Synergy at Dockside Green: A mixed-use development in Victoria, British Columbia, designed by Busby, Perkins + Will, that features dense development, district heating, and onsite wastewater treatment.

The Terry Thomas: Designed by Weber Thompson to be a fixture of its urban Seattle neighborhood, this mixed-use building features passive cooling, natural ventilation, and extensive daylighting strategies.