A good sustainable design deserves an award

The sustainable design in 21st century is no longer for the richest people, nor is it a privilege to the millionaires. The AIA/HUD awards shows a sign that sustainable and green affordable design is the future and it’s been awarding designers and projects from all around the country. The American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) Housing and Custom Residential Knowledge Community, as well as the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are the organizations and the institutions behind these awards. They are based on four major categories: neighborhood design, participatory design, accessibility and affordable housing architecture. The goal of these awards is to show that affordable green design is going to be a major part of the urban architecture and culture. This year the awards went more than green and they actually set an example, when it comes to design that matters. For instance, this year`s winner in the category of affordable housing architecture is a project of Paseo Center at Coyote Creek.

This is a project that creates a building in one of the emptiest parts of the city. The abandoned area was totally unusable by its residents and the building was meant to link this area with the other parts of the town. So the designers behind the projects decided they would build units for victims of domestic violence, homeless talents and people in a need. Another interesting project that won an award was the Congo Street Green Initiative. It has earned the Community-informed Design Award with its green and noble idea. The project renovated 17 old houses from 1910 and made them into a community for artists and single parents. The houses were made more efficient, as the entire energy powering them is green and sustainable. The houses are upgraded only with green and reused materials