For 25 years, Green Building United has brought together the people, projects, and partnerships transforming the built environment across our region. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are proud to announce the nominees for the 2026 Groundbreaker Awards. Representing the best in sustainable development, building operations, design, planning, and community leadership, this year’s nominees are advancing healthier, more resilient, and more equitable communities through their work.
We look forward to celebrating these outstanding leaders and project teams at the Groundbreaker Awards & 25th Anniversary Celebration on November 19 at the Cira Centre, where we will honor their achievements and look ahead to the next 25 years of impact. Read on to explore this year’s award categories and meet the nominees whose work is helping shape a more sustainable future. Nominations were submitted across five primary award categories: Equity & Community Leadership, Sustainable Design & Planning, Sustainable New Development & Major Renovation, Residential and Mixed-Use Development, and Civic and K-12 School Development.
Equity and Community Leadership
Green Residential Construction Immersive Training (GRIT) Program
30 S 15th St, Suite 801, Philadelphia PA 19102
GRIT helps Philadelphians – in particular, residents of environmental justice communities and justice-impacted individuals – build family-sustaining careers in green construction. Since 2021, Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) and partners including Provision Vocational Training Center (PVTC) and Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) have paired paid 16-week classroom and lab training with hands-on experience rehabbing affordable homes. Participants also get wraparound support — stipends, transportation, workwear, laptops, and referrals for mental health, housing, nutrition, and childcare — plus job placement help. As a result, 135 trainees have graduated across 8+ cohorts with nearly 50% of graduates placed in skilled, future-proof careers.
Reverend James Moore Sr., Triangle Village
3701 Brown Street, Philadelphia PA 19104
Reverend James Moore Sr., Triangle Village brings 40 one-bedroom units of affordable senior housing to Philadelphia’s Mantua Neighborhood. Designed to Passive House standards, the energy efficient building minimizes heating and cooling demand with an exterior envelope that is highly insulated and thermal-bridge free. The project has earned Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus and WELL Certification from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), with certification from the Passive House Institute (PHI) pending.
Sustainable Design and Planning
Bushkill Creek Greenway Master Plan
2100 Northwood Ave, Easton, PA 18045
The Bushkill Creek Greenway Master Plan transforms a 122-acre, 13-mile network of parks, trails, and open spaces into a resilient green infrastructure corridor that unites ecological restoration, climate adaptation, recreation, accessibility, and cultural heritage. Reframing one of the nation’s earliest rails-to-trails systems as a connected greenway rather than a collection of individual destinations, the plan integrates flood resilience, stormwater management, habitat restoration, managed retreat strategies, universal access, and trail connections. The result is an implementable blueprint that protects this critical regional watershed while creating a healthier, more equitable, and climate-resilient landscape for generations to come.
To Zero By Thirty Five Campus Energy Plan (Swarthmore College)
Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Swarthmore College, a regional sustainability leader, is replacing its fossil fuel-fed steam system and decarbonizing the campus so all of the buildings will operate on electricity, carbon-free, as part of its To Zero By Thirty-Five (20X35) energy plan. In 2021, the College adopted its 20X35 energy plan to eliminate more than 90% of greenhouse gas emissions and reach carbon-neutrality by 2035. To date, the College has drilled 695 geoexchange wells, built a new central geoexchange plant, and connected a quarter of its campus buildings to the geoexchange system. To encourage similar sustainable practices beyond its campus, the College is sharing its work through weekly tours and regular presentations at conferences to educate others.
Center for Regenerative Organic Innovation
611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown PA
The Center for Regenerative Organic Innovation is a landmark adaptive re-use project that transforms the historic 1819 Siegfried Barn on Rodale Institute’s Kutztown campus into a nationally significant hub for farmer education, research, and collaboration. The building is pursuing LEED v4 Platinum certification, with models projecting a 49% reduction in annual energy cost and 79% reduction in whole project water use. Renewable energy systems will allow for future micro-grid, enhanced commissioning will be performed to ensure operational efficiencies, and siting and materials selection have been optimized to reduce the building’s environmental impact. The project serves as a physical cornerstone of Rodale’s 10 Million Acre Solution.
Carousel House
1701 Belmont Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19131
Carousel House, a 5.2-acre recreation center built in 1987 in West Philadelphia, is the city’s only facility built specifically to serve people with disabilities, which is undergoing a $44+ million adaptive reuse renovation led by Philadelphia’s Capital Program Office through the City’s Rebuild program. The project nearly doubles the existing building while adding an accessible gym, zero-entry pools, a sensory room, and universal-design spaces while pursuing LEED Gold status. Shaped by 300+ community members through 8+ engagement touchpoints, the redesign shows how public investment can advance sustainability and disability-inclusive design in a neighborhood where 21% of residents live with a disability.
Sister Thea Bowman Hall
5800 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Sister Thea Bowman Hall, a six-story residence hall at Saint Joseph’s University, opened its doors in the fall of 2025. At more than 220,000 sf, this state-of-the-art building houses more than 500 first-year students, offering residents a more sustainable living experience through its utilization of geothermal energy, stormwater retention, and material reuse. The building is the largest in Philadelphia to operate heating and cooling solely off of a geo-exchange system. Lush green spaces enhance the beauty of SJU’s Hawk Hill campus while also providing shade and improving air quality. To offset construction impacts, 434 new trees were planted across campus. The project’s LEED application is currently under preliminary review.
Sustainable New Construction and Major Renovation
Martin Hall, Swarthmore College
8 Whittier Place, Swarthmore, PA 19081
The Martin Hall Renovation and Addition reimagines a 1930s Art Deco biology building as a model for regenerative, low-carbon campus transformation. Swarthmore College embraced adaptive reuse, preserving historic character while creating a high-performing, all-electric home for Computer Science and Film & Media Studies. Pursuing LBC Core certification, the project pairs decarbonization, a restored envelope, and salvaged materials with connection and wellbeing. New accessible entrances and pathways invite people into and through the building, while large windows and a “treehouse” living room bring nature to tech-focused learning, transforming Martin Hall into an inclusive, living bridge between the North Quad, arts precinct, and Crum Woods.
2000 Arch Street
2000 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
2000 Arch Street is an 18-story Class A office building in Center City Philadelphia anticipating LEED v4 Platinum certification in 2026. Owned and developed by Parkway Corporation, the building was recently completed and occupied by Chubb Insurance. LEED Platinum was targeted at project onset to create a high-performance work environment, enhance occupant health, and strengthen community impact. LEED was used as a framework to drive sustainable design, supported by 3D energy, daylight, and whole-building life cycle assessment modeling. This flagship project exceeded industry standards and LEED Platinum requirements, thereby transforming the real estate market and the Philadelphia skyline.
3905 Ford Road Medical Center Renovation
3905 W Ford Road, Philadelphia PA, 19131
Projected to use 46% less energy than required by Philadelphia’s energy code, the renovated medical center at 3905 Ford Road – home to Malvern Treatment Center – sets a new standard for sustainable healthcare facilities, saving almost $100,000 in utility costs and preventing 1.7 million pounds of carbon emissions annually. Supported by $11 million in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing, the renovation stands out for achieving the deepest energy savings among recent Philadelphia C-PACE projects. With high-efficiency equipment throughout the resident rooms, common areas, and back-operation facilities, 3905 Ford Road demonstrates how innovative, sustainable redesign can drive exceptional energy savings.
3201 Cuthbert Street
3201 Cuthbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s premier life sciences corridor, 3201 Cuthbert Street is a transformative 519,647-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified research and innovation facility designed by the renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects and developed by Gattuso Development Partners. The property features expansive 50,000-square-foot floor plates, 16- to 24-foot floor-to-floor heights. Private outdoor terraces on every level. Cuthbert Walk offers a vibrant, landscaped park setting with flexible seating, green space, and pedestrian-friendly amenities. Strategically positioned within University City and the Drexel University campus, placing tenants at the epicenter of academic research and a highly skilled workforce.
Residential and Mixed-Use Development
Kirkwood Street Passive House
217-235 Kirkwood St., Dover, DE
Four homes on Kirkwood Street in Central Dover are Delaware’s first Phius-certified buildings. The project was developed by NeighborGood Partners and funded in part by Energize Delaware. Designed to meet one of the most demanding residential energy-performance standards in the country, these homes reduce thermal energy demand while providing safe, comfortable indoor living environments for their residents. The project demonstrates a replicable path for making high-performance homes more affordable to own and live in over time.
Northern Liberties Passive Rowhouse
879 N. Orkney Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
How we understand and occupy our dwellings has changed dramatically over the past five years. As the effects of climate change continue to become more apparent, individual efforts to mitigate energy use and carbon footprint have become increasingly more important. This project is a small but ambitious single family residence located in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. Though tiny in footprint, the project addresses complex urban programmatic considerations, responds to site context, and is extremely efficient in terms of energy use and resources. A certified PHIUS+ 2018 Passive House, the project has been featured on educational tours and seeks to change the paradigm for urban housing in the 21st century.
Coulter Place
117-27 Coulter Ave. Ardmore, PA 19003
Coulter Place is a LEED Gold, ENERGY STAR certified mixed-use residential project within Ardmore’s Suburban Square, containing 131 apartment units and resident amenities over 19,000 SF of street level retail. The architecture draws inspiration from enduring character of Art Deco inspired context, while expressing a contemporary identity appropriate for a new residential community. Brick masonry and articulated vertical piers establish a rhythm along the street that creates a distinctive presence and reinforces the pedestrian scale of the streetscape. Coulter Place demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can strengthen an established commercial district while creating a more connected, sustainable, and pedestrian-oriented public realm.
Civic and K-12 School Development
Francis J. Myers Recreation Center
5801 Kingsessing Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Francis J. Myers Recreation Center is a $27 million multi-phase transformation of a three-story recreation facility and surrounding site in Southwest Philadelphia. Phase one delivered a new mini pitch with a public art mural, renovated tennis courts, and refreshed basketball courts. Phase two, completed in August 2026, includes a full renovation of the recreation center, a building addition with a regulation-size gymnasium and upgraded lobby, a new playground, sprayground, fitness areas, community garden, improved landscaping, and full ADA accessibility. The LEED Gold-certified, fully electrified project was funded through the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.
Walnut Street Parking Garage
33 W Walnut St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
The Bethlehem Parking Authority transformed the aging Walnut Street Garage into a sustainable, community-centered mobility hub. Guided by ParkSmart criteria and internal Sustainable Design Standards, the project right-sized a deteriorating 794-space facility into an efficient 527-space garage. It incorporates EV charging, energy-efficient systems, smart parking tech, two ground-floor retail spaces, and a public pocket park. Developed with the City of Bethlehem and LANTA, the hub integrates enhanced bus stops, covered bike parking, and a bike-share program to prioritize active transit. The facility connects environmental stewardship with community vitality in Historic Downtown Bethlehem.
Lewis C. Cassidy Academic Plus School
6523 Lansdowne Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151
The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is dedicated to delivering equitable, high-quality education in modern, supportive learning environments. To better serve the community, SDP sought to replace the aging original Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School, a century-old structure in West Philadelphia’s Overbrook neighborhood, with a cutting-edge facility designed for academic excellence, sustainability, and neighborhood engagement. EwingCole partnered with SDP to design the new Lewis C. Cassidy Academic Plus School, an 83,000-square-foot K-8 facility accommodating 570 students. The new school embodies flexible learning, environmental responsibility, and inclusivity, setting a new benchmark for educational spaces in Philadelphia.
AMY at James Martin School
1241 E Berks St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
The AMY at James Martin School is a new middle school serving students in Philadelphia’s Port Richmond neighborhood. Developed for the School District of Philadelphia, the project creates a modern, high-performance learning environment designed to support student well-being, academic achievement, and community connection. Through an inclusive planning process that engaged students, families, educators, and neighborhood stakeholders, the project delivers flexible learning spaces, sustainable building systems, and a resilient campus designed to serve generations of learners. The school achieved LEED v4 BD+C: Schools Gold certification in 2026.
Celebrate with Us
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Groundbreaker Awards nominees! The work of the many teams involved demonstrates the innovation, leadership, and commitment needed to create healthier, more resilient, and more equitable communities across our region.
Winners will be announced at the Groundbreaker Awards & 25th Anniversary Celebration on November 19, 2026, at the Cira Centre in Philadelphia. Join Green Building United’s members, nominee project teams, industry leaders, community advocates, and sustainability professionals as we celebrate this year’s nominees and reflect on 25 years of Impact from Green Building United.
Register today to reserve your spot or contact us for sponsorship information and help us celebrate the people and projects advancing a more sustainable built environment. Early bird ticket rates end October 23rd!