Emerald Award Winners
The USGBC-Illinois Chapter is proud to announce the 2013 Emerald Award winners! The Emerald Awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, corporations, projects, and technologies implemented across Illinois which advance both buildings and communities to become more sustainable, prosperous and healthy.
Chapter Mission Award:
Sustainable Chicago 2015 Action Agenda, Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Intent to Matter:
Individual Leadership – Joseph F. Clair
Outstanding Small Organization – ZeroLandfill Chicago
Outstanding Large Organization - Argonne National Laboratory
Green Innovation Award:
Green Home – Lema Passive House (Chicagoland’s First Passive House Team: Biltmore Insulated Concrete,Inc., Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd., Weiss Building & Development)
Green School – Roosevelt University
High Performance – Cuneo Hall, Loyola University Chicago
Occupant Engagement – airLab at Rosa Park Apartments
We had tremendous response this year; thank you to all who participated! The awards will be presented at o
ur annual fundraising event, Limelight, on May 23, 2013 at the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago. We hope you will join us!.
Tickets: Please follow this link to purchase Limelight tickets or
for more information. Hurry, early-bird pricing ends May 1st!
If you are interested in Sponsoring Limelight or donating a Raffle item, please contact Pam Jackson for more information.
Green Innovation Awards: Green Innovation Strategies
This award recognizes buildings (new or existing), technologies, products, or programs that use innovative strategies to make a positive impact in the building industry. (Buildings are not required to be LEED Certified to submit for this award, but must have been completed in the last 3 years.) Up to five awards will be given from the following categories, not necessarily one from each:
1. Green Home, Housing or Community
2. Green Schools: Early Childhood, K-12 and/or Higher Education
3. High Performance
4. Technologies and/or Products
5. Occupant and/or Tenant Engagement
Some characteristics of potential award winners include organizations that:
- Utilized new technologies and/or innovations in new construction
- Initiated forward-thinking policies/procedures in ongoing green operations
- Proposed an innovative solution to a green building challenge
- Fostered regenerative processes in buildings
- Found creative responses to limitations (monetary, site, resources, technologies, etc.)
Intent to Matter: Individual Leadership
This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies leadership in transforming the built environment in a substantial way. One award will be given.
Some characteristics of potential award winners include individuals that:
- Publicly committed to building sustainably
- Implemented an innovative program and lead others to follow suit
- Built an exceptional sustainable building(s) or remodeled an existing facility to outstanding sustainable standards
- Has significant influence over the sustainable building/community movement in Illinois
- Is considered a “game changer” in the green building movement and inspired others to follow suit
Intent to Matter: Outstanding Corporation or Organization
This award recognizes a corporation or organization that has made significant strides to reduce their environmental footprint or improve the environment in a substantial way. One award will be given.
Some characteristics of potential award winners include organizations that:
- Created strategic relationships or collaborations within the sustainable building community to help transform the industry
- Lead in the design, development, construction or operations + maintenance of sustainable building(s)
- Was recognized as an outstanding corporation/organization as evidenced by best practices
- Made a significant reduction in carbon emissions, waste, toxic chemicals, or other negative environmental impacts
- Contributed in a positive way to improving the environment (e.g. introduced regenerative processes in building design/operations, offered employee volunteer days, participated in ecosystem restorations, etc.)
Chapter Mission Award (Awarded by the USGBC – Illinois Board of Directors)
This award can not be submitted for, but will recognize an organization or corporation that best advances the mission of USGBC – Illinois.
Download the Nomination Form here.
