More than a dozen Oregon homebuilders have won top awards from nonprofit Earth Advantage for using less energy, improving indoor air quality and exceeding building code requirements.
For more than 10 years, Earth Advantage has recognized builders who are committed to building single-family and multifamily homes that are healthier for residents and the environment. Award winners must participate in Earth Advantage’s home certification program, which provides third party verification that the homes are built above code, prioritizing efficiency, durability, comfort, and health.
The 2023 winners include developers who built the most Earth Advantage silver, gold and platinum certified homes, as well as prizes for innovative design, community engagement and Zero Energy homes, which generate at least as much energy as they consume.
"The project teams that participate in Earth Advantage’s home certification program play a critical role in normalizing healthier, sustainable building practices,” said Rebecca Heilig, Director of Carbon Free Construction at Earth advantage. “Our 2023 award winners are true leaders in the field, and we are honored to recognize them for their efforts.”
Winners include Hayu Tilixam and Mamook Tokatee, two affordable housing developments in the Cully neighborhood of Northeast Portland that combine housing and community spaces focused on Native American and BIPOC families and youth. Both winning projects were collaborations between
Community Development Partners and the
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) that were designed by
Carleton Hart Architecture and built by
LMC Construction.
“Receiving an Earth Advantage award for both communities is an absolute honor,” said Eric Paine, CEO of Community Development Partners. “It recognizes our efforts in crafting solutions that tackle affordability and accessibility, contributing to a more inclusive and environmentally conscious future for our residents and communities. Through our project team’s collective experience, we were able to achieve community engagement, sustainable design, cultural preservation, and a substantial social impact.”
2023 Earth Advantage Award Winners
Single-family Awards
• Hall of Fame – Single Family: Brooks Resources Corporation
• Construction Manager of the Year, Portland: Doug Webb, Stone Bridge Homes NW
• Construction Manager of the Year, Bend: Bradon Berlanga, Pacific Construction & Development
• Most Silver and Gold Homes: Stone Bridge Homes, NW
• Most Platinum Homes: Ichijo USA
Multifamily Awards
• Hall of Fame – Multifamily: BDA Architecture & Planning:
• Most Certified Units: deChase Miksis Development, Crosswood LLC
• Construction Manager of the Year: Meghan Herteg, Walsh Construction
All Projects, selected by a judging panel:
• New Firm of the Year: Related Northwest
• Zero Energy Project of the Year: River Terrace Crossing Oxford model home: Ichijo, USA
• Innovative Design: Crosswood: Rowell Brokaw, deChase Miksis Development, LLC, John Hyland Construction, Crosswood LLC
• Community Engaged Design: Hayu Tilixam: LMC Construction, Carleton Hart Architecture, Community Development Partners, Native American Youth and Family Center
• Single-Family Project of the Year – Affordable: Cherry Blossom: Habitat for Humanity, Portland
• Single-Family Project of the Year – Market Rate: Damascus Passive House: Bidsmouth Design-Build
• Multifamily Project of the Year – Affordable: Mamook Tokatee: LMC Construction, Carleton Hart Architecture, Community Development Partners, Native American Youth and Family Center
• Multifamily Project of the Year – Market Rate: Crosswood: Rowell Brokaw, deChase Miksis Development LLC, John Hyland Construction, Crosswood LLC
About Earth Advantage
Earth Advantage is a non-profit organization helping to advance a more informed and humane housing market by working to ensure the US housing market recognizes the elements of homes that create climate risk and values the characteristics of homes that provide climate solutions. Our teams partner with entities across the country to develop tangible, systemic solutions for climate-friendly housing. For more information visit www.earthadvantage.org
Earth Advantage's home certifications come in three levels – platinum, gold and silver – providing a pathway for home builders to meet and exceed energy efficiency and green building standards. Earth Advantage homes are more durable, healthy, comfortable, and better for the environment. Earth Advantage has certified more than 17,000 homes over 15 years.
About the awards
Earth Advantage awards homebuilders annually based on both quantitative and qualitative measurements. Some builders win on volume of Earth Advantage-certified homes they have built. Other builders or projects are nominated for qualitative awards, which are scored by others in the industry. Awards are for projects that received certification between June 30, 2022 and July 1, 2023.
Learn more about current and previouas award winners here.
About the judges
Adrienne Fainman, CEO and Lead Designer for CedarStone LLC, specializes in organic architecture; harmony between humans and the natural world. A proponent of holistic sustainability, she carries unique experience in planning, biophilic design, and innovative housing solutions. Adrienne has garnered invaluable experience under the mentorship of acclaimed Indigenous Architect, Douglas Cardinal. This collaborative tenure encompassed a spectrum of projects, ranging from community assessments and data analysis to land-use planning and pioneering housing solutions tailored to the unique needs of First Nations communities and communities most affected by climate change. Adrienne holds her Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon, and a Bachelor of Mathematics and Philosophy from the University of Winnipeg.
Sarah Abenaa Nuamah is highly motivated and enthusiastic, with a deep passion for energy efficiency and sustainable practices. She has an insatiable curiosity that fuels her analytical mind, and is fascinated with understanding the factors that contribute to how people are influenced by their surrounding environments. She has worked with Energy Performance Scores in residential new construction buildings and continues to foster her interest in the dynamics of occupants and their homes through designing and commissioning HRVs/ERVs with Small Planet Supply. Her commitment to promoting greener building practices and dedication to combining innovation, social impact, and environmental consciousness inspires her work in the industry.
Gauri Vengurlekar focuses on the management and execution on Edlen & Co.’s development and construction efforts. These include a major focus on non-profit partnerships and highly sustainable, strategic partnerships including Portland’s first and the world’s largest Living Building Challenge building. Before joining Edlen & Co., Gauri had 15 years of experience in the design and construction industry. She has her undergraduate degree from Academy of Architecture in Mumbai, India and a Masters in Architecture from the University of New Mexico. She serves on the board of Campfire Columbia.
