Last night’s Groundbreaker Awards was a vibrant celebration of innovation, community, and leadership. Hosted at the stunning 3.0 University Place, the evening began with exclusive VIP tours led by The Sheward Partnership, LLC, showcasing the building’s cutting-edge features, including self-tinting windows and the impressive chiller room tucked away in the basement.
Guests then gathered on the lush third-floor green roof for a lively networking happy hour. Surrounded by native plants and great company, attendees enjoyed delicious food and drinks while connecting with fellow changemakers.
As the sun set, the crowd shifted upstairs for the awards ceremony. We proudly recognized all nominees and honored the winners across six categories:
- Rebuild Philadelphia – Equity & Community Leadership
- University of Pennsylvania Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology – Sustainable Building Operations
- Passyunk Wash Plant – Sustainable Design & Planning
- Mt. Cuba Center Head House and Greenhouse – Sustainable New Construction
- The Sheward Partnership Philadelphia Office Headquarters – Sustainable Renovation / Expansion
- Old First House – Sustainable Residential / K-12 Schools
We were honored to welcome a powerful lineup of speakers who shared their insights and inspired the crowd to keep the momentum going:
- Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier, Philadelphia City Council
- Sinceré Harris, Chief Deputy Mayor, City of Philadelphia
- Sarah Zaleski, Chief Products Officer, U.S. Green Building Council
- State Senator Vincent Hughes, State of Pennsylvania
Their words reminded us of the importance of sustainable development, equity, and bold leadership in shaping the future of our communities.
The evening concluded with coffee, dessert, and meaningful conversations that carried the spirit of the event well into the night.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who joined us— your presence and support made the night unforgettable. Congratulations again to all the nominees and awardees who continue to inspire and lead the way!
Special thanks to our hosts UPA | University Place Associates and to Helm Creative Studio for helping us bring this celebration to life.