USGBC Virginia celebrates 2022 Community Leader Award recipients

By Press release submission

Nov 28, 2022

USGBC Virginia is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2022 Community Leader Awards. These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in high-performance, healthy design and building, environmental stewardship, and community impact. They also serve to highlight the green building initiatives of USGBC Virginia community projects, organizations and local members.

Awards were given in multiple categories. In order to qualify, projects must be located in the USGBC Virginia community territory and, for most categories, have earned LEED certification between Jan. 1, 2020, and Sept. 16, 2022. Individuals and organizations qualify to receive a Green Leader Award based on their positive effect on the USGBC Virginia community. Project award winners were selected by a panel of building experts from the Virginia region, and Green Leader Award recipients were selected by USGBC Virginia’s Market Leadership Advisory Board and USGBC staff.

Recipients were announced and recognized during a special statewide online awards ceremony on Nov. 16. Nearly 60 attendees joined us online or attended one of our three in-person watch parties at Quinn Evans Architects in Richmond or Via Design in Norfolk. Keynote remarks were provided by Virginia General Assembly delegate Rip Sullivan, who spoke about his role in the passage of the historic 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act, and Dawn Oleksy, climate action program and operations supervisor for the City of Richmond, who discussed equity and the Richmond Climate Action Plan.

Award recipients

Innovative Project of the Year—Interiors

For a LEED for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) project that demonstrates use of new technologies and strategies to push the envelope of green design.

Winner: Southern Environmental Law Center (see project team)

Rise to the Challenge Award

For an exceptional green building project that overcame significant obstacles.

Winner: S.B. Ballard Stadium at Old Dominion University (see project team)

Green Schools Award

For a LEED certified K–12 school or higher education project that demonstrates sustainable leadership in design, facility operations, and student and community engagement.

Winner: Bluestone Elementary School (see project team)

Innovative Project of the Year—New Construction

For a LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) project that demonstrates use of new technologies and strategies to push the envelope of green design.

Winner: Henrico County Fairfield Area Library (see project team)

Climate Champion

For a LEED or LEED Zero project that demonstrates advanced design solutions or approaches to addressing climate change.

Winner: The Macon and Joan Brock Classroom (see project team)

People’s Choice Award

Selected by USGBC Virginia’s 2022 Community Leader Awards Celebration attendees.

Winner: Henrico County Fairfield Area Library

Green Leader: Volunteer Leadership

For passion and stewardship of USGBC’s mission in Virginia.

Winner: Bo Fairlamb

Green Leader: Sustainable Organization of the Year

For commitment to LEED and ongoing support of USGBC’s mission in Virginia.