IIDA, AIA, and CoreNet Honor Sustainable Leaders

Perkins + Will, GSBS Architects, and Liberty Property Trust are this year's winners.

by Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 5/15/2008

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA), in partnership with the American Institute of Architects and corporate real estate executives organization CoreNet Global have named three firms pioneers in the field of green design. The annual Sustainable Leadership Awards for Design and Development, now in its fifth year, recognize firms showing scientific innovation and going beyond existing standards available through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program.

This years winners are honored in three categories:

For Achievement in Design in Not-For-Profit Organizations

GSBS Architects with the Escalante National Monument

For Achievement in Development in For-Profit Organizations

Perkins + Will on their Sustainable Design Initiative Strategic Plan and the Green

Operations Plan

For Achievement in Design in For-Profit Organizations

Liberty Property Trust presenting JohnsonDiversey

The winners were selected by a panel composed of: Nick Axford, head, research and consulting department, CB Richard Ellis; Holley Henderson, principal, H2 Ecodesign, IIDA Sustainable Forum Advisor; Gail Lindsey, principal, Design Harmony; Richard Logan, Gensler, retired; Mike Napier, head of real estate, Shell International; Sanford Smith, manager, corporate manager, real estate and facilities, Toyota Motor Sales USA; and Ken Wilson, principal, Envision Design.

"The 2008 awards highlight organizations who have holistically integrated sustainability into their entire infrastructure -- it is exciting to see that in their way of doing business, their systems and their buildings," says Henderson. "Sustainability has truly become a benchmarking metric."

The IIDA also recently revealed the results of its annual Student Sustainable Design Competition.