Vermont Business Magazine The seventh annual Vermont’s Greenest Building Awards, hosted by the Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN), recognized three projects and design/build teams, as announced on Monday. The projects received awards for achieving the highest standard of demonstrated building energy performance for commercial buildings and documentation of green building strategies including health, transportation, water and affordability.
“It is wonderful to recognize the innovation, talent and creativity building professionals are bringing to their projects,” said Jenna Antonino DiMare, VGBN Executive Director. “I am proud of the outstanding work our Vermont green building community is doing to push the market towards more sustainable building practices.”
The 2018 winners were celebrated at the Vermont Green Building Gala, held on Burlington’s waterfront at Main Street Landing on March 28, 2019. Winning buildings were showcased as inspirational, model green buildings that create a new standard for environmentally responsible building in Vermont. “An award from Vermont Green Building Network is important recognition for our work to reduce the energy use of the North Branch Nature Center, while using locally-sourced and non-toxic materials and sticking to a strict budget,” said award winner Kate Stephenson of HELM Construction Solutions LLC.
The 2018 Vermont’s Greenest Building Award winners are:
Vermont’s Greenest Award | Commercial: Energy Futures Group Offices
This 1850s era farmhouse was renovated and a new addition was constructed with an eye to maintaining the historic character of the building. As an energy efficient showcase building in Hinesburg, enough solar photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof to provide 100% of the annual all-electric building’s heating, cooling, hot water, lights, and appliance energy needs. Submitted by Pill-Maharam Architects. Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 13.9 kBtu/sf/yr
- Owner: Energy Futures Group
- Architect: Pill-Maharam Architects
- Contractor/Builder: Reiss Building and Renovation
Vermont’s Going Green Award | Commercial: Gray Dorm, The Putney School
This project consisted of a deep energy retrofit of a 1950 dorm on the Putney School campus. The 6,084 square foot building had its envelope extensively upgraded from the exterior. The Putney School has a goal to incrementally work towards a net zero energy campus. Submitted by Maclay Architects. Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 32.6 kBtu/sf/yr
- Owner: The Putney School
- Architect: Maclay Architects
Vermont’s Going Green Award | Commercial and People’s Choice Award: North Branch Nature Center
This 28-acre reserve and nature center is a thriving part of the Central Vermont community and beyond. The campus includes trails along the river, a “main house” classroom building, and educational/special events barn. The recent multipurpose room addition, new entry, and renovation of the existing house and barn has provided modern and efficient space for even more nature programming, from summer camps to winter lecture series. “After so many years of working and teaching out of cold and drafty spaces, we are finally walking the talk. Our new facility is not only well-constructed, energy efficient and functional, but beautiful and welcoming as well,” said Chip Darmstadt, the North Branch Nature Center Executive Director. Submitted by HELM Construction Solutions LLC. Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 33.2 kBtu/sf/yr
- Owner: North Branch Nature Center
- Project Manager: HELM Construction Solutions LLC
- Architect: Black River Design Architects
Source: Burlington 4.8.2019. Vermont Green Building Network www.vtgreenbuildingnetwork.org