The Association for Retail Environments (Hollywood, Fla.) announced the winners of its inaugural Sustainability Awards, handing out Project of the Year honors to REI’s Round Rock, Texas, store. The association lauded the retailer for marrying a holistic, comprehensive sustainable approach with outstanding design aesthetics and functionality. The store was designed by the San Francisco office of Gensler. (For more on this project, see pg. 34 of VMSD’s May issue or click here.)
A second place tie went to Washington, D.C. restaurant Founding Farmers and The North Face’s Boise, Idaho LEED store. Judges awarded three Outstanding Merit awards to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (Denham Springs, La.), Canadian Tire Smart Store (Welland, Ont.) and Timberland (Westfield Shopping Center, London).
The judging panel, consisting of members of A.R.E.’s Sustainability Council, also recognized six specific project elements for commendation, including: Outstanding Use of Nature, Canadian Tire Smart Store (Welland, Ont.); Lighting Innovation, REI (Round Rock, Texas); Water Efficiency Innovation, Smith & Hawken (The Fountains Shopping Center, Roseville, Calif.); Creative Use of Reclaimed Materials, Timberland (Westfield Shopping Center, London); Consumer Education & Outreach, Timberland (Westfield Shopping Center, London); and Creative Use of Reusable Materials, Timberland PRO (Las Vegas).