Six winning projects have been chosen in the 2008 Green Building Competition for New York City. The competition was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the NYC Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability.

The Apple's green building epicenter is clearly Manhattan, which took 5 of the awards. The final winner was in the Bronx. Also held in 2004 and 2006, the contest was created to showcase green design, encourage innovation and identify roadblocks to more sustainable building practices.

The two grand prize winners are the Battery Park City Conservancy’s maintenance facility and a super-luxe waterfront condo building called The Visionaire (also one of the rejected titles for CBS' The Mentalist). Descriptions of the two projects follow. You can read about the other winners in the EPA press release (pdf).

Battery Park City Conservancy’s maintenance facility
Dattner Architects

Between 2nd and 3rd Place, Battery Place and Little West Street in Battery Park City

This project embodies the mission of the Conservancy: maintaining open spaces within Battery Park City and providing a venue for cultural and educational programs. The facility, providing for both office space and park maintenance service uses, features onsite garbage compaction as a part of the integrated pest management strategy and composting. The maintenance facility optimizes spaces for myriad uses, such as: a large staging area in the central atrium; a double-glazed walkway between floors that acts as thick insulator to capture and release solar gain; a vehicle storage and repair area that includes charging capabilities for the electric fleet; specialized storage for organic pesticide and fertilizer; staff lockers and showers; supply and prep rooms for art; and, community space for use by local community groups. Organic waste from a local grocery store and from the horticulture operations will be composted; the compost tea and compost will be used in landscaping the 36 acres of open space. The Conservancy will
use recycled water extensively; treated black water will be used to wash vehicles and gray water to flush toilets. Gray water will supply 96,710 gallons to the Conservancy per year and overall water efficiency measures are expected to reduce water use by 47 percent.

The Visionaire
Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

Between 2nd and 3rd Place, Battery Place and Little West Street in Battery Park City For construction of this majestic building, half of the building material costs went to purchase locally-harvested materials, and 20 percent of building materials were manufactured within 500 miles of New York City. The terra cotta screens, low-emissivity reflective insulated glass, and thermally-broken aluminum framing create a high performance envelop with a R-value of 20. On-site geo-thermal heat pumps, 4,000 square feet of photovoltaic fuel cells, and a microturbine provide part of the building’s energy needs. Occupant health and satisfaction greatly influenced the design – in addition to natural and low-emitting materials, there will be 100 percent fresh air ventilation and 40 to 45 percent day-lighting for habitable rooms. Sustainable roof technologies – including plantings, and permeable and high albedo paved surfaces – cover 70 percent of the roof surface, thereby reducing stormwater runoff and heat island effect while providing a recreation area for residents. To assure maximum benefits from the city’s only LEED Platinum residential apartment building, a comprehensive guide to the systems, features, and emergency procedures will be provided to all residents.