US Green Building Council recognizes innovation in sustainable design at annual gala
Project of the year winner, LADWP La Kretz Innovation Campus
“This decade will likely be the most pivotal decade yet in the fight against climate change and specifically 2020 will be a year where green buildings are front and center. This year we are launching our Talent Portal - putting all our trainings and workforce development opportunities, mentorship and job listings in one powerful push. Our Construction and Decarbonization committees are making strides in trying to instigate and guide change in both industry and policy. And our Women in Green, Green Schools, and Firewise Initiatives will be major efforts to really help a wide range of people and communities direct their efforts toward a healthier built environment, from the beach to the Arizona border!”
At its 15th Green Gala, the Los Angeles Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LA) focused on “Community” as it presented the 9th Annual Sustainable Innovation Awards (SIA). The Project of the Year was awarded to the LADWP La Kretz Innovation Campus in downtown Los Angeles, followed by SIAs to seven more projects that went above and beyond in a range of categories.
The USGBC-LA also presented Community Leadership awards, which included recognizing LA Metro, Liberty Hill, and the first ever Kevin Devine Award, presented to Shane Eaton of Brookfield Properties.
“USGBC-LA is about people, and using community as the theme of our Green Gala this year was not only a great way to honor that, but also to put our communities at the heart of the conversation around sustainability. Our members, who design, build and operate the environments where we spend nearly 90% of our time, do an amazing job of pushing each other to go further each year. These projects and the people who made them happen deserve to be honored to bring more attention to the work they are doing and to drive others to go even further.”
The SIAs affirm a project team’s commitment to a sustainable built environment; honor projects that have already been envisioned, designed and/or built, recognizing exceptional achievement and innovation; and reflect the Chapter’s emphasis on energy & water savings, air quality, good design, community engagement and equity. Winners included:
Project of the Year: LADWP La Kretz Innovation Campus
Energy Honor: Perlita Passive House Merit
The Arroyo Water Honor: Matloff Family Home Merit – Gateway at Willowbrook
Social Equity Honor: Coronel Apartments
Health & Wellbeing Honor: LPA Design Studios Merit
SITES Merit: Gateway at Willowbrook
In addition to the SIAs, the USGBC-LA honored the ongoing importance of Community to the USGBC-LA chapter and its goals by recognizing that spirit in eight people and groups.
Environmental Justice Leader of the Year Award: Liberty Hill Foundation for their leadership in integrating the conversations around built environment, sustainability and equity.
Kevin Devine Award: Shane Eaton, Chief Engineer, US Office Division, Brookfield Properties, for leading in sustainable building operations, both in the day to day and by setting an example for others.
Partner of the Year Award: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (LA Metro) for their leadership in leveraging influence to increase the prevalence of sustainable business practices across the Los Angeles region.
Community Impact Award: Joel Cesare, Google (formerly City of Santa Monica) for his leadership paving the way toward a more sustainable future.
Resiliency Award: J. Lopez, LA County Fire Department, Prevention Services Bureau, Forestry Division, for making an extraordinary contribution to making our communities more resilient, especially in the face of climate change.
Emerging Leader Award: Kanika Sharma, Senior Sustainability Consultant, Integral Group for demonstrating industry leadership in pushing us all forward to a more sustainable built environment.
Hearts of the Chapter: Eera Babtiwale (Inland Empire Branch Leader) and Julie Jacobson (San Fernanda Valley Branch Leader) for going above and beyond in representing their respective Chapter Branches.
The Awards were presented during the Green Gala at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, which raised $120,000, in front of a guest list of over 400 top industry professionals from local government, real estate owners and developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and LEED professionals. USGBC-LA works with anyone who is interested and engaged in collaborative sustainable initiatives.