Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association and the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau invite entries in the Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards program honoring design excellence and architectural accomplishment using western red cedar.

To be eligible projects must be completed no earlier than Jan. 1, 2005. The Awards categories to be judged fall in one of two distinct product classifications: (1) those featuring extensive use of cedar lumber or (2) those featuring extensive use of cedar shakes and shingles. The winning designs will demonstrate an understanding of the special properties of western red cedar (Thuja Plicata) including beauty and durability. New, restored and renovated buildings are eligible. Entries are not limited by geography.

The Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards Official Rules:

You must agree to the rules in order to enter the contest.

1. No Purchase Necessary: No purchase or payment of any money is necessary to enter. Purchase will not improve the chances of winning. All federal, state and/or local rules and regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law.

2. Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years old to enter. The Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards program is open to all architects except members of the jury or their firms, employees of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA), employees of the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB), or employees of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“The McGraw-Hill Companies”). AIA membership is not required. There is no entry fee and entries are not limited by geography.

Projects are to be submitted for judging within 1 of 2 distinct product classifications: (1) those featuring extensive use of western red cedar lumber or (2) those featuring extensive use of western red cedar shakes and shingles. In either case, the winning designs will demonstrate an understanding of the special properties of western red cedar (Thuja Plicata) including beauty and durability in structural or aesthetic applications.

Within each of the two product classifications, there are four categories. For the western red cedar lumber product classification, these categories are: (1) Residential, (2) Resort/Vacation, (3) Non-residential/Commercial and (4) Landscape/outdoor projects. Projects must show significant usage of western red cedar lumber products in exterior or interior applications. Typical applications of western red cedar lumber products include exterior siding, trim, decking, timbers, interior paneling, millwork and other installations, including landscape/outdoor projects.

The four categories for the western red cedar shake and shingle product classification are as follows: (1) Residential, (2) Resort/Vacation, (3) Non-residential/Commercial and (4) Specialty Sidewall Shingle Display (art and/or pre-finished). Projects must show significant usage of cedar shakes or shingles in roofing or roofing and sidewall applications. Preference will be given to projects with “Certi-label™” products. (In instances where identity of “Certi-label™” products is unknown, please provide name and address of retailer or distributor of shakes and shingles used).

Projects must have been completed on or after January 1, 2005. Contest entrants are invited to submit projects of any size, design, building or building type. New, remodeled and restored buildings are all eligible. Typical projects might include single family houses or vacation homes, apartment or town house projects, schools, hotels, stores, resorts, churches or other cultural, recreational or educational complexes.

3. To Enter: All entries are to be submitted online. To enter, go to www.construction.com/cedarawards/ and type in the appropriate information requested.

All entries must be submitted by October 31, 2008. Entrants may submit as many entries as desired. There are no limits on the number of entries per person or per architectural firm. Neither sponsors nor the jury are responsible for late, misdirected or illegible entries.

Entrants must submit a minimum of 3 photos of the project, including one front elevation shot. If entry is a remodel or renovation project, entrant must provide at least 2 additional “before” photos. Entrant must provide a 250-word project description with particular comments on why western red cedar was selected.

A CD of high-resolution images of the winning submitted entries is to be provided to the WRCLA and CSSB upon request.

4. Winner(s) and Award(s): There will be eight winners, one winner for each of the 4 categories in each of the 2 product classifications (western red cedar lumber and western red cedar shakes and shingles) pending a sufficient number of eligible entries in each grouping. Awards will be presented May 1, 2009 at a special awards event to be held in conjunction with the AIA National Convention April 30-May 2, 2009 in San
Francisco.

Award winners are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements and expenses should they desire to be present at the event.

If winners are unable to be present, the awards will be sent via mail.

5. How to Win: Each entry will be judged on the basis of its success in meeting its individual requirements in terms of either design resolution or design advancement.

The jury will consider creative, distinctive and appropriate use of western red cedar products in meeting these requirements.

The jury consists of three distinguished members of the architectural community identified, in part, by the staff of Architectural Record.

Contest winners will be selected by the jury on or after November 14, 2008. Winners will be notified via phone, email or mail.

6. Winner’s List: For a winner’s list, visit www.construction.com/cedarawards/ after December 1, 2008.

7. Prize Conditions: Prizes are not redeemable for cash or substitutable for any other item by winners. By entering, the contestants and winners release and discharge WRCLA and CSSB and the owners, members, directors, officers and employees of WRCLA and CSSB, members of the jury, The McGraw-Hill Companies and their respective affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies and all others associated with the development and execution of this contest, including their respective employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Sponsors”) from and against any and all liability, damages or expenses with respect to or in any way arising from the contest and Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards Official Contest Rules the awarding and use of the prizes, including liability for personal injury and/or property damage.

Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a comparable prize of like or greater value for any prize, for any reason. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes and fees, plus any other incidentals.

Winners will be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release form prior to receipt of an award acknowledging that WRCLA, CSSB and The McGraw-Hill Companies have the right to publicize his/her name and likeness, the fact that he/she has won a certain award and all matters incidental thereto without the payment of any compensation for a period of five (5) years.

8. Disqualification: In the event that a winner fails to meet the eligibility requirements of the contest, the un-awarded prize will be awarded to an alternate, eligible winner selected by the jury from remaining entries if available.

9. Use of Entries: By entering, all contestants grant to WRCLA, WRCLA members, CSSB, CSSB-members, and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. the non-exclusive right and a license to publish their entries or any portion of their entries, including photographs or images, together with the names of the persons and companies submitting the entries, in their respective publications, advertising and promotions, for
an unlimited time.

10. Privacy: Entrants will be required to give WRCLA, CSSB and the McGraw-Hill Companies their legal names, current addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for the purpose of contacting winners. McGraw-Hill Construction on occasion shares information collected about contestants included on the entry forms with other units within the family of The McGraw-Hill Companies whose products or service we feel may be of interest to you. If you have any questions about the uses we make of this information, or if you would like to review the accuracy of the information you submitted, you may contact the McGraw-Hill Privacy Officer via email at Construction_Privacy_Policy@mcgraw-hill.com. For more information about The
McGraw-Hill Companies’ Customer Privacy Policy or a complete listing of The McGraw-Hill Companies’ premium brands, visit our web sit at: http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/privacy.html.

11. Disputes: By entering, each entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these official rules and the decisions of the judges. Any dispute regarding the contest or these rules will be resolved by a panel of judges from WRCLA and CSSB and their decision shall be final.

2008 Energy Value Housing Award

The EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) is the nation’s preeminent energy efficiency award honoring builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into all aspects of new home construction. Builders submit detailed applications in any of five categories (Affordable, Custom/Demonstration, Factory-Built, Multifamily, Production) in one of three climate regions (Cold, Moderate, Hot). A panel of industry experts evaluates the applications and selects winners based on Energy Value, Design, Construction, Marketing and Customer Relations, and Energy Programs.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Cherokee Investment Partners, LLC
Category: Custom
Climate: Moderate
Location: Wake, North Carolina
Square Footage: 4,300 s.f.
Construction Cost: $230 per s.f.

As the “world’s largest investment firm specializing in the acquisition, remediation and sustainable redevelopment of brownfields,” Cherokee Investment Partners, LLC isn’t your typical builder—and this winning entry is not your typical home. According to the EVHA judges, it is an “exceptional demonstration” home that is a showcase of high-tech energy and resource efficient building that features, “just about everything you can imagine.” The company is using this demonstration home—occupied by one of the company executives—as a learning tool to guide future development.

Cherokee Investment Partners describes building its “Mainstream GreenHome” in an established neighborhood as part of an effort to “convince the building community and homeowners that green homes are economically attractive, environmentally beneficial, comfortable, and beautiful.”

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Stitt Energy Systems, Inc.
Category: Custom
Climate: Moderate
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Square Footage: 3,718 s.f.
Construction Cost: $167 per s.f.

Stitt Energy Systems isn’t new to energy-efficient home building or the EnergyValue Housing Award. After nearly 30 years of building homes, Stitt Energy Systems has an unwavering commitment to energy efficiency. Its mission, which hasn’t changed since the company’s inception, is “to provide energy efficient homes that are environmentally responsible for the health, welfare, and happiness of our customers, our employees, our investors, and future generations.” According to the judges, Stitt Energy Systems has demonstrated “exceptional practice” with this custom home. Passive and active solar systems, combined with state-of-the-art efficiency features, contribute towards the $67 monthly energy bills accrued on average during the first year of occupancy.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Ferrier Builders, Inc.
Category: Custom
Climate: Hot
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Square Footage: 2,990 s.f.
Construction Cost: $140 per s.f.

Ferrier Builders, along with the homeowner, set a goal for this project of creating a home that was “extremely energy efficient, comfortable, durable, made of sustainable products, and which uses nearly zero energy.” Ferrier Builders is witnessing a “huge increase” in the number of customers who want extremely energy efficient homes. The company has found that its high performance home building niche, earned over more than 25 years, is attracting new customers. Interestingly, many of these new customers are baby boomers, seeking to build their last home, who are convinced that investing in energy and environmental features is a very wise investment. The EVHA judges couldn’t agree more, and found that Ferrier Builders presented an “excellent package of features and a really good envelope,” using an “energetic and holistic approach.”

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Fireside Home Construction
Category: Custom
Climate: Cold
Location: Dexter, Michigan
Square Footage: 4,010 s.f.
Construction Cost: $238 per s.f.

According to the EVHA judges, Fireside Home Construction, “did everything right and then some.” To maintain its strong reputation as a quality builder of timber-framed homes, the company strives to provide “personal attention to each client, achieve complete customer satisfaction, and provide enduring value to the home owner.”

The company’s air sealing practices provide a glimpse into the level of attention it gives during construction. To create a tight home, everything is sealed as it is built. Fireside’s own framing crew is trained by an energy rater and attends one or more blower door tests to observe typical leakage hot spots. Mechanical and electrical trades are also trained about air leakage and given air sealing equipment to seal holes after rough-in. Even the trim carpenter has a foam gun to seal any gaps as he trims windows and doors.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Aspen Homes of Colorado
Category: Custom
Climate: Cold
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Square Footage: 2,902 s.f.
Construction cost: $85 per s.f.

As a relatively young company, Aspen Homes of Colorado seems to have attained wisdom beyond its years. The company believes that taking a comprehensive approach to quality control is essential for constructing an energy efficient home. To this end, it hires knowledgeable and thorough employees and subcontractors who install and enforce precise quality control measures to check “every single step in the process.” This high level of attention to detail is what allows Aspen Homes of Colorado to meet its own high standards, the standards of ENERGY STAR and the local green building program, and mostly importantly, and the expectations of the homeowner. This custom home, designed to use near-zero energy, was described as “phenomenal” by the EVHA judges.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Veridian Homes
Category: Production
Climate: Cold
Location: Verona, Wisconsin
Square Footage: 4,660 s.f.
Construction Cost: $71 per s.f.

Veridian Homes’s participation in local and national programs has led to the company’s implementation of exemplary practices in all facets of its homes’ construction. And, as Wisconsin’s largest home builder, Veridian Homes is making a big impact. For example, their award-winning quality control process includes detailed trade contractor scopes of work and multiple field inspections that help ensure what the EVHA judges describe as “very tight construction.” Yet, the company’s influence goes beyond simply the impact of the home itself. For example, Veridian Home’s award-winning recycling program has resulted in more than half of all its construction waste (50% by volume; 60% by weight) diverted from the landfill in 2007. Most recently, the company has entered into a voluntary “Clean Lakes” charter with state and local government to exceed existing water standards and to continuously improve erosion and storm water control measures.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Aspen Homes of Colorado
Category: Affordable
Climate: Cold
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Square Footage: 1,416 s.f.
Construction Cost: $99 per s.f.

It is often difficult to incorporate the latest building science and energy efficiency features into affordable homes, but Aspen Homes of Colorado has proven that it can work seamlessly. According to one discriminating EVHA judge, “They can build an affordable home that is up to my standards. To me, that’s great. They were able to do an excellent job at an affordable [price].”

Aspen Homes of Colorado engages homeowners with mutiple walk-throughs at each stage of construction so that the buyer is aware of what is done for energy efficiency and why. Guaranteed energy bills and Aspen’s new homeowner gift of a year’s worth of wind energy credits help keep the buyer aware of energy use and its affect on the affordability of their homes.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Wilshire Homes
Category: Production
Climate: Hot
Location: Houston, Texas
Square Footage: 3,659 s.f.
Construction cost: $67 per s.f.

A large production builder, Wilshire Homes has used its status as an energy-efficient home builder to differentiate its brand in the Houston market. Yet, its commitment of energy efficiency is not just a marketing strategy—the company was established with a commitment to building not only the most energy efficient production homes in Houston, but also the most environmentally friendly. Apparently, the strategy is working. “Wilshire Homes has an overall package of energy efficiency measures that is quite good,” according to the EVHA judges.

Wilshire Homes is proof that it is possible to remain price competitive while offering a highly-efficient home. To keep costs low, it incorporates resource efficiency measures which not only cut costs, but are also good for the environment.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Veridian Homes
Category: Multifamily
Climate: Cold
Location: Dane, Wisconsin
Square Footage: 2,312 s.f.
Construction Cost: $53 per s.f.

To achieve a high level of quality and consistency in each home, Veridian Homes, executes “a great level of training and organization to a project,” according to the EVHA judges, in which the process of building and design is “exceptional.”

Veridian Homes credits its Even Flow production schedule and its National Housing Quality (NHQ) Builder Certification as key to the consistent and effective application of ENERGY STAR and Green Built standards to all of its homes. The company has developed detailed scopes of work for all of its trade partners, each of which contains measures to ensure energy efficiency details are implemented properly. The majority of the company’s trade partners have completed the NHQ Trade Certification training at Veridian Homes’ expense. Finally, the company’s construction managers conduct 22 inspections and complete a 314-point final inspection checklist to ensure continuous improvement.

2008 EVHA Gold Award - Aspen Homes of Colorado - Builder of the Year
Category: Production
Climate: Cold
Location: Loveland, Colorado
Square Footage: 2,818 s.f.
Construction Cost: $98 per s.f.

Aspen Homes of Colorado’s winning home in the production category includes numerous efficiency details that garner an “impressive” HERS index. Contributing to this level of efficiency are numerous features which are especially unique to a production home such as a tankless gas water heater and Manual D designed duct systems. For the tightly-constructed home, several features ensure high indoor air quality including: 100% hard-ducted air distribution system; fresh air circulated throughout the house by the central air handler; motion sensor-activated garage exhaust fan; sealed combustion equipment; passive radon system; MERV 12 air filter; and a moisture management plan. In fact, due to these air quality measures, the home received one of the nation’s first ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package (IAP) labels.

2008 EVHA Silver Award - John Wesley Miller Companies
Category: Custom
Climate: Hot
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Square Footage: 2,168 s.f.
Construction Cost: $186 per s.f.

As the downtown Tucson development Armory Park del Sol nears completion, it is a shining example of energy efficiency on the community scale. Not only is the location and neighborhood layout conducive to reducing car travel, each home is extremely energy efficient and includes solar hot water and photovoltaic systems for renewable energy production. This home, the second net-zero energy home in the development, received accolades from the judges for having “consistently good features” that contribute to a noteworthy 17 HERS index—indicating that almost all the energy used in the home is expected to be offset by the renewable energy production systems.

2008 EVHA Silver Award - Pardee Homes
Category: Production
Climate: Moderate
Location: Sacramento, California
Square Footage: 2,264 s.f.
Construction Cost: $58 per s.f.

Pardee Homes, a large regional production builder, has participated in the ComfortWise program since 1998. Through ComfortWise’s turnkey program, Pardee and its subcontractors must adhere to strict guidelines and formal scopes of work developed by the program. For example, the ComfortWise program requires that a registered mechanical engineer design HVAC systems according to ACCA’s Manuals J, D, and S and that installed ducts must pass the California Energy Commission’s “Tight Duct” criteria of no more than 6% leakage. To further ensure quality installations, Pardee Homes applies the “Six Sigma” methodology—a series of practices designed to improve any process by eliminating defects—to continuously improve the construction process.

2008 EVHA Silver Award - Sustainable Development, Inc.
Category: Production
Climate: Moderate
Location: Salem, Oregon
Square Footage: 1,346 s.f.
Construction Cost: $233 per s.f.

This home, in the Pringle Creek development of Salem, Oregon, is the culmination of extensive planning and careful consideration of energy and resource efficiency features. Working with the architect and experts from the Oregon Department of Energy, the builder designed a cottage which, according to the EVHA judges, incorporates “significant energy savings measures.” Not only is the home energy efficient, but it incorporates resource-efficiency and green building design with the same level of rigor. For example, all materials were sourced within 500 miles, streets are constructed of permeable asphalt, and a rainwater harvesting system supplies water to a drip-irrigation system for the drought-tolerant landscaping.

2008 EVHA Silver Award - The Cohousing Company
Category: Multifamily
Climate: Moderate
Location: Nevada City, California
Square Footage: 1,684 s.f.
Construction Cost: $95 per s.f.

In the Cohousing Company’s multifamily units, described by one EVHA judge as having an “incredibly energy efficient structure,” homeowners are enjoying utility bills in the range of $20 to $30 per month. The inherent efficiency of multifamily units combined with energy efficient construction details, whole-house fans, and passive solar design that encourage natural ventilation and shading result in homes that don’t need any mechanical cooling.

The company has hosted several energy efficiency workshops with residents to discuss seasonal strategies for reducing energy use. According to the Cohousing Company, “It doesn’t pay to create an organ if no one knows how to play it.” Yet, the company credits the residents for energy conservation and states, “the community facilitates environmental stewardship…the sharing of information between community members has a huge impact on energy savings.”

2008 EVHA Silver Award - R Godfrey Homes
Category: Affordable
Climate: Hot
Location: Glen Rose, Texas
Square Footage: 1,474 s.f.
Construction Cost: $76 per s.f.

R Godfrey Homes delivers what it calls the “most cost effective home possible” by performing a preconstruction analysis with an energy rater and then ensures those design details are implemented effectively by giving each home “a lot of individual attention” during construction. The builder works closely with material suppliers, insulators, HVAC contractors, and others to deliver what it calls “real value.” Features unique to affordable homes, such as an unvented attic, are just part of the builder’s strategy to keep costs low while providing what an EVHA judge described as an “excellent energy package.” Yet, the builder recognizes that not everything is practical for the affordable home buyer—for example, the builder has not yet implemented photovoltaic systems. They have considered the technology, but realizes that it needs to wait until more systems are installed and the price declines before PV is suited to its affordable home buyers.

2008 EVHA Silver Award - Veridian Homes
Category: Affordable
Climate: Cold
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Square Footage: 1,846 s.f.
Construction Cost: $57 per s.f.

Veridian’s grass roots marketing approach has truly set the company apart as a builder of high-quality, energy efficient homes. In fact, more than three-quarters of Veridian Homes’s customers state that a key reason for their selecting the company was its reputation for building energy efficient homes with high indoor air quality.

Veridian’s “Are You Seeing Stars?” campaign is raising awareness of the company’s status as a 100% Wisconsin ENERGY STAR builder—with decals in all the home’s windows, displays in furnished models, a billboard, and star-shaped giveaways. Through the local Green Built Home program, all homeowners are given a Green Built plaque for display.
2008 EVHA Silver Award - Community Housing Partners
Category: Affordable
Climate: Cold
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Square Footage: 1,138 s.f.
Construction Cost: $82 per s.f.

It’s not surprising that Community Housing Partners, an unconventional builder, has produced a home that is not your conventional home. Built on a city infill site, this home is not only energy efficient but it is also environmentally sustainable. Through an integrated design process, Community Housing Partners worked to optimize building performance while creating a livable and functional space within the available budget. Through this design process, energy efficiency, durability, and sustainability was considered during every step: from architectural design through mechanical system design and materials selection. The result was a home with a “very nice package” of energy features, according to the EVHA judges.

Visit www.nahbrc.org/evha