Green Building Challenge

Green Building Challenge 2024

The Green Building Challenge is officially open and accepting submissions! Share this with your colleagues and friends!

This is a competition to recognize the innovative renovation and new construction projects in NE Ohio that demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship. We’ll follow the same rules as previous years:

Our independent panel of judges will review the submissions and be responsible for naming the winners.
All projects in NE Ohio are eligible.
If your project won in the past for a specific category, it’s not eligible for that category this year, but can be submitted for another category.
The retrofit, renovation or new construction must have been completed between January 2022 and December 2024.
Winners will be named in each of these categories: Energy Conservation, Water Conservation/ Management, Reduced Transportation Emissions, and Healthy Buildings. You can submit a project for multiple categories to be considered for the award of Overall Winner.
Submission deadline is February 21st.
Winners will be recognized by several organizations: Cleveland 2030 District, USGBC Ohio, AIA Cleveland, ASHRAE Cleveland, possible media publications, and a Cleveland 2030 event to recognize winners on May 8th.

Cleveland 2030 District partners with USGBC Ohio (NE region) on this challenge. We’re looking forward to reviewing submissions and learning about the impressive projects happening in NEO!

SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT HERE

Green Building Challenge 2023

Cleveland 2030 District and USGBC Ohio are pleased to present the winners of this year’s Green Building Challenge. These are commendable new construction and renovation projects that were completed by the end of 2023 in Northeast Ohio.

See the details of the winning projects here: Green Building Challenge 2023 PDF

Green Building Challenge 2022

Cleveland 2030 District partners with USGBC Ohio Northeast Region to hold a friendly competition to recognize exemplary new construction and renovation projects in Northeast Ohio. Congratulations to all the winning projects.

See the details of the 2022 Green Building Challenge winning projects here:

Green Building Challenge 2022 PDF

Green Building Challenge 2021

See details of winning Green Building Challenge projects here:

Green Building Challenge 2020

The Cleveland 2030 District holds an annual friendly Green Building Challenge in collaboration with USGBC Ohio, Northeast Region.

We use Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) to collect and analyze energy and water data. Originally, ESPM created the Energy Use Intensity (EUI is measured as kBtu/square foot/year) baseline using a 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey. They updated baseline calculations using a 2012 survey. The 2030 Districts use ZeroTool to recreate the 2003 baseline to remain consistent in the challenge year over year.

The Water Use Intensity score (total water consumption/square foot/year) baseline is set by using the building’s own 2010 water use provided by Cleveland Water, or, in buildings built after 2010, we use their earliest full year of data.

We collect data from commuters in member buildings every other year. Our most recent transportation survey was at the end of 2020. Because of the pandemic, we collected monthly data to analyze its impact on commuting patterns and emissions. We measure baseline transportation emissions (CO2/commuter/year) using the 2001 National Household Travel Survey.

Since the pandemic affected buildings differently depending on use type and occupancy variables, we measured the challenge this year based on data through Q1 2020.

We measured reduction in EUI, WUI, and reduction in commuter transportation emissions, each in three categories:

Over 50% reduction from baseline

40-49% reduction from baseline

30-39% reduction from baseline

Green Building Challenge 2019

The Cleveland 2030 District holds an annual friendly Green Building Challenge in collaboration with USGBC Ohio, Northeast Region.

We use Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) to collect and analyze energy and water data. Originally, ESPM created the Energy Use Intensity (EUI is measured as kBtu/square foot/year) baseline using a 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey. They recently updated baseline calculations using a 2012 survey. The 2030 Districts use ZeroTool to recreate the 2003 baseline to remain consistent in the challenge year over year.

The Water Use Intensity score (total water consumption/square foot/year) baseline is set by using the building’s own 2010 water use provided by Cleveland Water.

We collect data from commuters in member buildings every other year. Our most recent transportation survey was at the end of 2018. We measure baseline transportation emissions (CO2/commuter/year) using the 2001 National Household Travel Survey.

This year’s challenge measured reduction in EUI, WUI, and reduction in commuter transportation emissions, each in three categories:

30-39% reduction from baseline

40-49% reduction from baseline

Over 50% reduction from baseline

Congratulations to the 2019 Green Building Challenge winners:

Green Building Challenge 2018

Cleveland 2030 District runs an annual friendly Green Building Challenge in partnership with USGBC Ohio Northeast Region. The Challenge has four categories:

Most improved EUI (energy use intensity) from baseline through 2018
Most improved EUI from 2017 to 2018
Most improved WUI (water use intensity) from baseline through 2018
Most improved WUI from 2017 to 2018

We use Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) to collect and analyze data. Originally, ESPM created the Energy Use Intensity (EUI is measured as kBtu/square foot/year) baseline using a 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey. They recently updated baseline calculations using a 2012 survey. The 2030 Districts use ZeroTool to recreate the 2003 baseline to remain consistent in the challenge year over year.

The water use intensity score baseline is set by using the building’s own 2010 water use provided by the Cleveland Water.

Congratulations to the 2018 Green Building Challenge Winners:

Most improved EUI from baseline through 2018:

Winner: City of Cleveland, City Hall

2nd Place: PNC Center

3rd Place: 1111 Superior

Most improved EUI from 2017 to 2018:

Winner: K2M Design

2nd Place: Cleveland State University, Julka Hall

3rd Place: Cuyahoga Community College, District Office

Most improved WUI from baseline through 2018:

Winner: General Services Administration, Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse

2nd Place: PNC Center

3rd Place: General Services Administration, Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building

Most improved WUI from 2017 to 2018:

Winner: Cleveland State University, Julka Hall

2nd Place: Calfee Building

3rd Place: General Services Administration, Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse

Green Building Challenge 2017

The Green Building Challenge is a friendly competition between buildings in Northeast Ohio, measuring reduction in energy consumption. Cleveland 2030 District has collaborated with USGBC Ohio Northeast Region for the past 4 years to present this event.

The Challenge measures progress in four categories:

Greatest reduction in Energy Use Intensity from baseline through 2017

Greatest reduction in Energy Use Intensity from 2016 to 2017

Greatest reduction in Water Use Intensity from baseline through 2017

Greatest reduction in Water Use Intensity from 2016 to 2017

Cleveland 2030 District calculates the winners by using Energy Star Portfolio Manager. The energy baseline is set by Portfolio Manager using a 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey. The water baseline is set by using the building’s own 2010 water use provided by the Cleveland Department of Water.

We’re proud to announce our 2017 Green Building Challenge winners!

Greatest reduction in EUI from baseline through 2017:

Winner: United Way

Second Place: Metzenbaum Courthouse

Third Place: 1111 Superior

Greatest reduction in EUI from 2016 to 2017:

Winner: Cuyahoga Community College – District Office

Second Place: AM Higley

Third Place: Cuyahoga Community College – Jerry Sue Thornton Center

Greatest reduction in WUI from baseline through 2017:

Winner: Carl B. Stokes Courthouse

Second Place: Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Wolstein Hall

Third Place: Cleveland State University, Science Building

Greatest reduction in WUI from 2016 to 2017:

Winner: AM Higley

Second Place: Anthony Celebrezze Federal Building

Third Place: Cleveland State University, Science Building

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2017 Green Building Challenge!

Green Building Challenge 2016

The Green Building Challenge is a friendly competition between buildings in Northeast Ohio which measures reduction in energy consumption. Cleveland 2030 District has collaborated with USGBC Ohio Northeast Region for the past 3 years to present this event.

The Challenge measures progress in three categories:

Greatest reduction in Energy Use Intensity from baseline through 2015

Greatest reduction in Energy Use Intensity from baseline through 2016

Greatest reduction in Energy Use Intensity from 2015 to 2016

Cleveland 2030 District calculates the winners by using Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Baseline is set by Portfolio Manager using a 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey. Energy Use Intensity is defined as kBtu/sf per year.

We’re proud to announce our 2016 Green Building Challenge winners!

Greatest Energy Use Intensity reduction from baseline through 2015:

Winner: City of Cleveland, City Hall

2nd Place: United Way

3rd Place: Oswald Building

Honorable Mention: Metzenbaum Courthouse

Greatest Energy Use Intensity reduction from baseline through 2016:

Winner: City of Cleveland, City Hall

2nd Place: United Way

3rd Place: Oswald Building

Honorable Mention: Metzenbaum Courthouse

Greatest Energy Use Intensity reduction from 2015 to 2016:

Winner: City of Cleveland, Electric Meter Bureau

2nd Place: City of Cleveland, Public Safety Central

3rd Place: Forest City Realty Trust, Post Office Plaza

Honorable Mention: Progressive Field

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2016 Green Building Challenge!

Green Building Challenge 2015

The Green Building Challenge is a program of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the United States Green Building Council and the Cleveland 2030 District.

A series of four educational events were presented throughout 2015 to educate building owners and operators on the benefits of green building practices. Cleveland 2030 District provided guidance on creating an Energy Star Portfolio Manager account to measure progress. The Green Building Challenge celebrates reductions in energy use compared to baseline in Northeast Ohio.

Property owners, property managers and developers enter utility data in Portfolio Manager for measurement and verification of energy savings against performance baselines. Energy Use Intensity scores were calculated and awards were presented in several categories to those who have achieved significant savings.

The educational series was structured on the overall process of optimizing building energy performance: evaluating facility performance (ASSESS), setting goals and creating an action plan (TARGET), implementation of energy conservation measures (DELIVER), and measurement/verification of savings (MEASURE).

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Green Building Challenge:

Greatest Reduction form Baseline EUI Through 2014:

Winner: United Way

Second Place: The Albert M. Higley Company

Third Place: Midtown Professional Building

Honorable Mention: K2M Design

Greatest Reduction from Baseline EUI Through 2015:

Winner: United Way

Second Place: The Albert M. Higley Company

Third Place: Midtown Professional Building

Honorable Mention: Cuyahoga Community College

Most Improved EUI 2014 to 2015:

Winner: Forest City Realty Trust Post Office Plaza

Second Place: Forest City Realty Trust Tower City

Third Place: United Way

Honorable Mention: Progressive Field

To read more about the 2015 Green Building Challenge, see the article in Properties Magazine, June 2016 edition.

Green Building Challenge 2014

The 2014 Green Building Challenge is a program of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the United States Green Building Council presented in collaboration with the Cleveland 2030 District.

Presented as a series of four events throughout 2014, the Green Building Challenge educates building owners and operators on the benefits of green building practices, provides guidance on creating an ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, and celebrates reductions in energy use related to past energy retrofit projects completed in Northeast Ohio.

Property owners, property managers and developers submit past projects for measurement and verification of energy savings against performance baselines, and awards will be given out in several categories to those who have achieved significant savings. Property owners, managers and developers who would like to learn about energy efficiency but do not wish to participate in the scored Challenge are also welcome to attend.

The entire series is structured on the overall process of optimizing building energy performance: evaluating facility performance (ASSESS), setting goals and creating an action plan (TARGET), implementation of energy conservation measures (DELIVER), and measurement/verification of savings (MEASURE). Each event will be focused on a different phase of the energy management program and will be held from 7:30a – 10:00a on the following dates, with breakfast and registration from 7:30a – 8:00a [click the date for event details]:

Download the following presentations:

ASSESS Presentation:

GBCpres_JH.pptx

DELIVER Presentation:

Calfee Building Presentation (02640297).pptx

MEASURE Presentations: