USGBC-LA’s Sustainable Innovation Awards recognize project teams that are committed to a sustainable built environment. Unlike standardized LEED rating systems, the Sustainable Innovation Awards evaluate merit based on sustainable strategies that demonstrate exemplary performance by going above and beyond LEED credit achievement. This year, HMC Architects was recognized for our team’s achievements with the Las Colinas Women’s Detention and Reentry Facility and the Middle School Enclave at Costa Mesa High School.

The Las Colinas Women’s Detention and Reentry Facility was awarded a Sustainable Sites Honor and also a Health and Well-being Merit from USGBC-LA. The Las Colinas Women’s Detention and Reentry Facility is the second largest USGBC Campus Gold Certified Project in California, ranked 7th nationally, and 9th globally. The 45-acre site hosts 21 buildings (463,000 SF) with more than 75% open space composed of outdoor amenities, including an amphitheater, outdoor meeting spaces, public art, gardening, and places for self-reflection, small group interaction, and meditation.

UCGBC-LA recognized the Middle School Enclave at Costa Mesa High School with an Energy and Atmosphere Merit. The Enclave is a 27,000-SF new classroom building composed of middle school administration, science labs, technology lab, and classrooms. The sustainability vision focuses on discovery/learning environments that showcase sustainable technologies, such as window sunshade design and renewable energy. Students and faculty have access to the energy use and cost data, enabling them to learn how much electricity is generated by their daily activities, how much energy is offset by the photovoltaic panels integrated into the window sun screens, and how saving energy reduces impact on the grid.