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2002 Winners

First Prize: Commercial/Institutional/Government Buildings

Cusano Environmental Education Center at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Architect: Susan Maxman & Partners
(215) 985-4410
nam@maxmanpartners.com
http://www.maxmanpartners.com/

Front Entrance (photo: Barry Halkin)

Cusano Environmental Education Center at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in fall (photo: Susan Maxman & Partners, Ltd.)

Judges comments: "This building successfully restores a disturbed site in an urban area by using appropriate strategies including a 'marsh machine' for ecological wastewater treatment, porous paving systems, drought tolerant landscaping, water efficient plumbing fixtures, and rainwater collection for irrigation and demonstration exhibits. It is also highly energy efficient. The building interiors dovetail nicely with the wildlife refuge site."

First Prize: Solar Electric Buildings

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Cambria Office Building
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania  
James S. Toothaker
(717) 787-4190
http://www.dep.state.pa.us  

Cambria Office Building

Maps space including: clerestory daylighting, Wheatboard/Dakota Burl agriboard table and wainscot, low-VOC finishes, and "table-integrated skylight" for borrowed light to lobby below.

Judges comments: "The building attractively incorporates photovoltaic panels in a practical manner that fits well with the building's design. The highly visible panels-both on the roof and in front of the main entrance--draw the public's attention and make a powerful statement that solar electricity is practical today.  It is impressive that 33% of the building's total energy costs are supplied by photovoltaics. This is in part possible because the building incorporates various efficiency measures that reduce energy demand."

First Prize: Residences

Straw Bale Comfort and Beauty in the Mountains of Vermont
Noah Wentworth
(207) 985-4148
noah@strawbale.org  
http://www.strawbale.org  

Judges comments: "Along with its carefully researched construction practices, this residence was carefully sited to restore a degraded area on the property.  The emphasis on local and non-toxic construction materials, consistent throughout the house, includes beams and rafters salvaged from a local barn. This straw bale house is well constructed with attention to detail.  A lot was accomplished with a limited budget."

Second Prize: Residences

Charleston, Rhode Island Solar House
Architect:  Donald Watson, FAIA,
(203) 459-0332

"An attractive, well-sited home that proclaims and demonstrates the owners' interest in sustainability and energy independence.  Attention was given to air flow within the house. The use of photovoltaics and passive solar design is coupled with highly-insulated, impressively thick walls, energy-efficient appliances, and other energy-saving measures to dramatically reduce the house's energy needs."
Project Description (*.pdf)

Student Prize: Modest Mansion Prototypes

The School of Architecture and Planning, the State University of New York at Buffalo
students:  Hwan Choi, Eric Dolph, Sandra Heiser, Sheng Lin, and Ashish Maldikar

"Students designed their ‘Modest Mansion Prototypes’ in a three week charette outlined by Professor Dennis Andrejko, AIA.   The prototypes are for single family occupancy urban infill within Buffalo city limits.   Students explored sustainable design strategies such as passive and active solar heating, rainwater collection, and super insulated walls.  The jury appreciated the student’s experimental approach to building image, context and sustainable design technologies."