Virginia Sustainable Building Network’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting was the occasion for presenting Virginia businesses, organizations, and governments the first state awards for environmentally sound products and programs related to Green Building and Sustainable Development. The criteria for the awards were: 1) environmentally responsible products, projects, and programs; 2) emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy use; and 3) completed and/or on-going programs and projects; 4) promotion of Green Building and Sustainable Development principles in the local community.

The 2005 Virginia Green Innovation Awards went to:

Green Businesses and Organizations

Association for Energy Conservation Professionals
Building Logics, Inc.
Rainwater System, Inc.

Green Designers

Moseley Architects
Staengl Engineering
William McDonough + Partners

Best Residential Project

Village of Amberleigh,
R.E. Collier, Inc. Builder

Best Institutional Project

TEKOA Boys Residential Campus,
Community Housing Partners Corporation

Best Commercial Project

Breatheasy® Office,
American Lung Association of Virginia

Most Sustainable Community Program

Arlington County , Virginia

Virginia Sustainable Building Network (VSBN) is the first statewide organization to bring together representatives from diverse sectors who are interested in building healthy, environmentally friendly buildings and sustainable communities. VSBN was incorporated as a non-profit (501-c-3) organization in 1995, under the leadership of Karl Bren, formerly the Non-Profit Affairs Director of Virginia Housing Development Authority. He assembled a group of individuals, who represent housing, banking, utility, construction, government, and environmental interests, to shape the organization and to develop a program for VSBN that changes the way homes, buildings, and communities are built.

To accomplish its mission, VSBN carries out workshops, regional and state-wide conferences, and training and technical resources for members of the design and construction industry, local and state government, private building owners, school systems, and affordable housing organizations. VSBN provides information and education on building methods, materials, and designs that save energy costs, reduce waste and promote recycling, reduce environmental impacts and exposure to unhealthy substances, strengthen local economies, and contribute to an enhanced quality of life. It has developed an organized information clearinghouse and resource directory and serves as a regional networking organization.

The VSBN 2006 Board officers are: Eric Oliver, PE, EMO Energy Solutions, President; Bryna Dunn, AICP, Moseley Architects, Vice President; Maria Hall, Herman Miller, Secretary; and Patrick Farley, AIA, Watershed Architects, Treasurer.

Visit the VSBN website for more information: www.vsbn.org or call Annette Osso, Executive Director, VSBN, at 703-486-2966.