Top 10 Global Sustainable and Green Building Awards

Construction is one of the most critical industries that plays a vital role in sustainability. An increasing number of industry players have started to become more sustainable by looking at new methods to cut down on waste and innovating new products to help improve many facets of the building process. Recognizing companies' contributions towards creating a fair and sustainable future with their green building projects is more important than ever.

Green or sustainable buildings are common terms used for buildings that have been built around the concept of sustainability. Examples of green and sustainable buildings include the residential to commercial, from condominiums, business offices, and educational centres to mixed-use high rises. The question raised here is how the sustainability aspect of buildings can be measured, ranked, and awarded. 

In almost every part of the world, green buildings can only be officially recognized as green buildings if they apply for and successfully gain certification through a rating system. Some rating systems are internationally accepted and used by various awarding bodies in sustainability. 

Keep reading to discover 10 significant global green and sustainable awards for green buildings worldwide!

1. The BREEAM Awards

BREEAM, which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is the oldest certification program used worldwide in over 50 countries. BREEAM’s rating systems focus on 9 categories: management, health and well-being, transportation, water, materials and resources, land usage and ecology, and pollution.

BREEAM recognizes and celebrates projects and organizations with its annual awards program, The BREEAM Awards. BREEAM Awards’ independent judging panel evaluates sustainable buildings and projects certified under the BREEAM rating system, and it is widely used in Europe.

2. Sustainable Building Awards

Sustainable Building Awards is a BUILD initiative started to recognize and reward the efforts of companies making significant contributions to sustainable development. With this initiative, BUILD aims to encourage those implementing innovative technologies, materials, and systems to reduce the industry's carbon footprint.

To keep the awards open to everyone and provide equal opportunity, BUILD employs a no-mandatory-cost policy for entering the Sustainable Building Awards and accepting the award in case of winning. Participants can apply for Sustainable Building Awards with past achievements and current and future projects. What makes the projects award-winning is that the system software and technology utilized drive the industry toward a greener and more sustainable future. 

The projects are selected entirely on merit based on specific criteria and assessment by an impartial panel of researchers. Winning projects are presented with various commercial and complementary marketing tools that allow winners to showcase their recognition.

3. Green Star

Green Star is an internationally recognized rating and certification system and program that sets the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places. The program primarily focuses on indoor air quality, energy consumption, transportation, water, materials and resources, land use and ecology, and emissions. 

Even though it is not an actual award program, Green Star rewards buildings for inventing new and creative ways to approach sustainability. The certification system mainly recognizes leadership and innovation in sustainable building design and construction. Green Star has certified thousands of sustainable fit-outs, buildings and homes, particularly in Australia and South Africa. The certification program aims to:

• Reduce the impact of climate change

• Enhance our health and quality of life

• Restore and protect our planet’s biodiversity and ecosystems

• Drive resiliency in buildings, fit-outs, and communities 

• Contribute to market transformation and a sustainable economy

4. Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Buildings Awards

Since 2014, the Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards have highlighted exemplary leadership in individuals, businesses, and projects driving the sustainable building movement throughout Asia. The Green Building Awards recognize companies that imbed climate action into their corporate DNA and positively impact their community, society, and our planet.

5. The World Architecture Festival

World Architecture Festival is one of architects and designers' most significant global live awards events. The festival recognizes projects demonstrating excellence in sustainability, innovation, and environmental design in 44 categories across completed buildings, future projects, landscapes, and interiors. 

In each category, participant projects have been through a unique, rigorous judging process that strengthens their credibility and sets them apart. The finalists present their projects live to a panel of judges. This way, finalists can discuss their work and use the feedback they get to strengthen future projects. The details for this year's awards program can be found here. 

6. COTE Top Ten Awards

Presented by The American Institute of Architects (AIA), The COTE Top Ten Awards recognizes 10 innovative projects annually. The program was founded on the idea that sustainability is essential to design excellence. Therefore, a key criterion for judging projects is integrating compelling design and sustainable performance. The projects are placed into 10 categories: water, community, integration, energy, economy, resources, change, discovery, ecosystems, and well-being.

Entries are evaluated on how successful the project is in meeting its requirements, with particular emphasis on design excellence, focusing on an inclusive definition of design quality that includes performance, aesthetics, community connection, resilience, and stewardship of the natural environment. You can find the details on submitting a project here. 

7. RIBA International Prize

The RIBA International Prize is a bi-annual award program focusing on sustainability, innovation, and environmental design excellence. It is awarded to the most transformative building, which exemplifies design excellence and architectural ambition while delivering meaningful social impact. The rigorous judging process includes visiting every longlisted building for the award by international experts.

8. Beautiful Buildings Green Apple Awards

The Beautiful Buildings Awards is a worldwide campaign to showcase and recognize buildings' positive contributions to the built environment. The awards emphasize the architectural and design merits of buildings, structures and constructions, as well as rewarding innovation, ideas, cheerful aesthetic and environmental and visual elements.

Any building of any age can be put forward for the competition. Entries are accepted from architects, builders, national and local authorities, civil engineers, designers, developers, owners – anyone involved in creating, maintaining, or restoring a beautiful building.

9. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Awards

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Awards are among the most prestigious awards for inspirational project achievements. To be awarded by CIOB, projects should positively impact their users and should be delivered to them in the best possible way. 

There are 22 gold and silver medallists each year across ten categories, including the Rising Star Award, the President's Award, Client of the Year, Team of the Year, and one Construction Manager of the Year. The ICO Awards are an excellent opportunity for skills and abilities towards sustainability in the building sector to be recognized. 

10. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification

As the name suggests, LEED is the leading standard used to evaluate a building's efficiency in energy usage and the ability to reduce carbon emissions. Managed by the U.S Green Building Council in the United States, the LEED rating system is the world's most common and widely used green building certification. 

The rating system has 4 tiers of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Platinum certification is the highest level, a recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. The program aims to inspire industry players to use resources more efficiently and create a safe community environment. 

This article lists the top 10 global sustainable and green building awards celebrating sustainability efforts and sustainable development within the built environment. These award and certification bodies aim to reward genuine sustainability efforts in energy, water, waste, fleet, sustainable acquisition, and resilience in the building and construction space and achievements in projects representing exemplary sustainability practices. Check out Intengine’s certification database and resources to learn more about building and construction sustainability..

Tags: construction, sustainable building, green building, architecture, award