The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and their Committee on the Environment (COTE) have chosen the 2010 Top Ten Green Projects.  

2010 Top Ten Award Winners

For information on the ten measures and supporting metrics used to evaluate the entries, see the Top Ten Metrics View.

• 355 11th Street (Aidlin Darling Design) San Francisco, CA
• Homer Science & Student Life Center (Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects) Atherton, CA
• KAUST (HOK) Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Kroon Hall (Centerbrook Architects and Planners; Hopkins Architects) New Haven, CT
• Manassas Park Elementary School + Pre-K (VMDO Architects, P.C.) Manassas Park, VA
• Manitoba Hydro Place (Smith Carter Architects and Engineers; Kuwabara Payne Mckenna Blumberg Architects) Winnipeg, MB
• Omega Center for Sustainable Living (BNIM Architects) Rhinebeck, NY
• Special No. 9 House (John C. Williams Architects; KieranTimberlake) New Orleans, LA
• Twelve West (ZGF Architects LLP) Portland, OR
• Watsonville Water Resource Center (WRNS Studio LLP) Watsonville, CA

Here are some highlights:

(Aidlin Darling Design) 355 11th Street, San Francisco

Photo credit:  Mathew Millman

"ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS:

While solar energy harvesting, a green roof, and natural ventilation make the largest quantitative impact on the building's overall sustainability, it is the new exterior skin that provided the most fertile territory for merging sustainability with architectural design.

The building's new metal skin is perforated with fields of small holes that allow light and air to pass through new operable windows hidden beyond. The perforated outer skin mitigates solar heat gain while enabling cross-ventilation of the interior. This rudimentary double-skin façade becomes a screen for sunlight and air without the visual impact of new fenestration on the historic facade. The new perforated skin results in a generously illuminated and well-ventilated interior, providing a pleasing view from within while simultaneously offering a degree of privacy for the occupants.

Rather than defaulting to pre-perforated panels, the patterning of the perforations was embraced as a design opportunity. Customized CNC (computer numerical control) milling allowed the creation of a seamless, building-scale gradient—from opaque to over 50% open—across the entire façade. This smooth gradient functions to dematerialize the industrial surface of the corrugated metal, gradually revealing the reflections of the glass beyond during the day and the warm glow of the interior at night."  

(HOK) KAUST, Saudi Arabia Photo credit:  J. Piccolet "ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS As multiple design teams worldwide worked in tandem at a high speed, a core group developed concepts to guide their efforts and integrate sustainability. The team employed five strategies that borrow from local culture and traditions to solve environmental issues: 1. Structured like traditional Arabic cities, the campus is compressed as much as possible to minimize the amount of exterior envelope exposed to the sun and reduce outdoor walking distances. 2. As found in a traditional souk, or Arabic market, shaded and passively cooled circulation thoroughfares are characterized by dramatic light and social spaces. 3. The Arabic Bedouin tent inspired designers to create a monumental roof system that spans across building masses to block sun on building facades and into the pedestrian spine, to facilitate natural ventilation and to filter light. Solar panels covering the surface capture the sun's energy. 4. Passive ventilation strategies of the traditional Arabic house influenced the design of iconic, solar-powered wind towers that harness energy from the sun and wind to passively create airflow in pedestrian walkways. 5. Similar to Arabic screening called 'mashrabiya,' the campus shades windows and skylights with an integral shading system that reduces heat loads while creating dramatic dappled light." More info on the projects HERE.