HSC Receives American Institute of Architects Illinois President’s Award

by Mark Bishop, HSC Deputy Director

The American Institute of Architects Illinois (AIA) has presented Healthy Schools Campaign with their President’s Award, the only annual award presented to an organization outside of AIA. We’re honored to receive this award from a group we hold in such high esteem, and would like to thank AIA for recognizing our work to make green design and renovation the norm in schools.

The AIA award jury said that “AIA Illinois is pleased to consider the HSC to be among its friends and allies - they get what livable communities are really about.”

HSC has worked with AIA to bring the green schools message to design professionals in Illinois through trainings, policy and outreach. It’s through this collaboration that we were able to help pass legislation requiring that all new schools built in Illinois with state funds meet energy-efficient design standards.

Research shows that green design in schools can make a tremendous difference in student’s readiness to focus and learn, and we know it can make a huge difference for the health of everyone in the building. Energy-efficient schools can lead to substantial savings on school district utility bills, and create a model of responsibility and environmental stewardship.

We thank AIA for this award and look forward to continuing our work together to bring the benefits of green design to all students, teachers and schools staff.