Summary: The AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) encourages architects and their teams to submit their projects for the Top Ten design competition. Now in its 14th year, the program is one of the best known sustainable design recognition programs in the nation. Winning projects will be recognized with an AIA/COTE award certificate and acknowledged in the national press, on the AIA Web site, and at the AIA National Convention and Design Expo in June 2010. Register here by January 15 and to review past winners.

The jury for 2010 includes Peter Busby, Assoc. AIA, Int'l. Assoc. AIA, Busby Perkins & Will; Robert Harris, FAIA, Lake Flato Architects; Denis Hayes, The Bullitt Foundation; Lisa Heschong, Heschong Mahone Group, Inc.; Alison G. Kwok, AIA, University of Oregon; Elizabeth I. Ogbu, Assoc. AIA, Public Architecture.

In addition to the recognition, the COTE Top Ten has a strong focus on knowledge delivery in the form of case studies and gathering real performance data. The 2009 COTE Top Ten Green Projects program celebrated projects that were the result of a thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems, and technology. They made a positive contribution to their communities, improved comfort for building occupants, and reduced environmental impacts through strategies such as reuse of existing structures, connection to transit systems, low-impact and regenerative site development, energy and water conservation, use of sustainable or renewable construction materials, and design that improves indoor air quality.