GREEN GIANTS AWARDS
Since 2013, the Green Giants Award Program has been honoring the work of trades people, educators, and owners/program directors who help build, teach about, envision and fund the green buildings in Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.
This program is intentionally distinct from other building design awards in its attempt to honor a wider range of participants behind the sustainable building movement in our region.
The program is held every two years, in odd-numbered years. It alternates with the WMAIA Design Awards program, which is held every two years in even-numbered years.
2021
TRADES
Energia, LLC, Worker-Owned Cooperative, Holyoke, MA
EDUCATOR
Ben Weil, Extension Assistant Professor, Building & Construction Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
LIFETIME HONOR AWARD
Mark Ledwell (1953-2021), Wright Builders, Northampton, MA
2019
TRADES PERSON
Gary Hartwell, Project Manager, Smith College Facilities Management
EDUCATOR
Kate Cholakis, Conway School of Landscape Design, Northampton, MA
OWNER
Rochelle Prunty, General Manager, River Valley Cooperative
2017
TRADES PERSON
Wright Builders
EDUCATOR
Ajla Aksamija, UMass, Graduate design studio focusing on net-zero energy design
OWNER
Julie Johnson, Hitchcock Center for the Environment Amherst, MA
2015
TRADES PERSON
Mark Newey for his work at the Center for Eco Technology
EDUCATOR
The UMass Building Construction and Technology Department
OWNER
Amy Johns, Director, Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, Class of 1966 Environmental Center, Williams College
2013
TRADES PERSON
Sean Jeffords, Beyond Green Construction
EDUCATOR
Teresa Jones, Sustainable Practices in Construction curriculum at Greenfield Community College
OWNER
Bement School (Non-Profit)
Riverstone Development, Two Pond Farm Land Co-op and Sustainable Neighborhood (Private)