Award recognizes Design Competition's vision for sustainable buildings

The N.C. Sustainable Building Design Competition (NCSBDC) recently received a North Carolina Sustainability Award for its leadership in sustainable buildings and developments. The program was recognized at an awards banquet for North Carolina companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations. It won in the non-profit category. North Carolina Sustainability Awards are presented by Sustainable North Carolina, a nonprofit program that brings business people, government officials, civic leaders, and conservationists together to find new ways to solve business and environmental issues.

"Many people were involved in the creation and nurturing of this program that integrates sustainability into education," said NCSBDC Executive Director Kristi Jeffcoats. "After five years in operation and impacting more than 500 students, we are honored to receive this award that celebrates the program's impacts in sustainability."

NCSBDC allows students enrolled in North Carolina colleges or universities to participate in learning and applying the lessons of sustainable development in the design and construction of buildings. Student teams are required to design a home and incorporate sustainable energy approaches in the design. Required energy approaches for homes include energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, waste reduction, use of locally available materials and attention to the particular assets of the site. Local competitions are held at each participating college or university and winners then go to the state competition.

When asked about the impact of the NCSBDC on student team members, Jeffcoats said, "We are influencing our state each year by sending out a new group of graduates into the industry with skills needed to create a more sustainable North Carolina." She also believes the design competition program serves as a link between academia and the North Carolina design and construction industry.

The competition is administered by Advanced Energy, a Raleigh-based nonprofit organization, working to create economic and environmental benefits through innovative approaches to energy. NCSBDC is a 503(c) program. All contributions to the program are tax deductible and non-refundable. For additional information on the competition or about being a sponsor, contact Kristi Jeffcoats at kjeffcoats@advancedenergy.org or (919) 716-6384.