The AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Green Projects Program announces its 2014 competition for all architects licensed in the U.S. The program recognizes innovative built projects that exemplify excellence in sustainable design strategies. Projects must also educate the architectural community and the public about the increased value that sustainable design strategies provide for developers, building owners, and occupants.

Entries will be judged based on individual merit on a broad and inclusive definition of sustainable design that includes performance, aesthetics, community connection, structure resilience, and environmental stewardship.

The program accepts all project entries, including new buildings, interior architecture, renovations/restorations, and completed urban and regional plans, for eligibility, regardless of project size, budget, style, building type, location, or size of the firm. Projects must be built and completed between 2004 and three months prior to the submission date.

AIA COTE will again include the Top Ten Plus Award in its 2014 competition. This award, a new addition to the 2013 contest, allowed past AIA COTE Top Ten Awards winners with actual performance data for at least one year to become eligible for the AIA COTE Top Ten Plus Award. Award recipients were projects that had been previously recognized for sustainable design excellence, and could provide verifiable baseline design metrics.

The winning projects will receive substantial recognition, including acknowledgement in AIA publications, electronic media, and at the 2014 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Chicago.