A contest to (quite literally) change the world.

As we’ve continued to hone our new vision here at BUILDINGS and i+s, we’ve been asking our readers and ourselves: How can we help encourage product manufacturers, architects and designers to truly express their core values in their work? How might we encourage building owners and facility managers and all those who collaborate to create buildings—to aim higher, to inspire to something greater?

The ideas continue to roll in, but here’s our favorite so far...

Introducing the Purpose Awards.

Join us as we celebrate and elevate the products, projects, designs, and spaces that contribute most to the Triple Bottom Line—People, Planet, Profit. The products and projects that not only do no harm, but best support the health and wellness of humans and the planet.

For once, it's not just about the glitz and glam—although we appreciate beauty as much as anyone. It's about the power of great design to affect positive change.

For you, it’s an opportunity to both seek and provide inspiration, to receive the recognition (and the new business leads!) you deserve for thinking outside that blue-pencil box. And, most importantly, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate how each of us can lead the change we want to see.

The jurors are well-known thought leaders on sustainable design, corporate social responsibility, equity and design. The winners and finalists will be showcased first at a gala event this fall (because who doesn’t love a party?)—and will receive glowing press and editorial kudos in BUILDINGS and i+s magazines—both in our print and digital editions and through our social media channels.

It sounds amazing, right?

It will be! Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase the results of your hard work.

Whatever it is you’ve been MOST proud of these last two years—it’s time to share it with everyone.

Timeline

Entries accepted: July 7-October 11, 2021; entries received by midnight CT on Oct. 11.

- Standard rate August 1-October 11: $375 for first entry; $150 each additional entry; (Use this discount code for any additional entries: PURPOSE2021)

Judging: October 15-November 1, 2021

Winners announced: December 2021

NOTE: If you are submitting multiple entries (either in one category or in multiple categories), you must enter the project/product information and pay entry fees each time you complete a submission.

Winners will be presented in special edition issues of BUILDINGS and i+s print and digital magazines in December 2021. Announced at live or virtual event early December.

Prizes

One winner and finalist(s) will be chosen for each of the product and project categories.

Winners Receive:

1. A Purpose Awards trophy (well, of course!)  2. Recognition during The Purpose Awards Event* 3. Editorial coverage in the December special edition issues of i+s and BUILDINGS magazines 4. Additional exposure through our publications’ digital and social media channels

Finalists Receive:

1. Recognition during the Purpose Awards Event* 2. Exposure/coverage through our digital and/or social media channels

All Entrants Receive:

1. Use of Purpose Awards Winner, Finalist or Entrant logos 2. One ticket to The Purpose Awards Event*

*In person vs virtual event to be determined by COVID travel and event restrictions

Terms & Conditions

1. Only complete entries will be considered. Incomplete or ineligible entries will be disqualified without notice or return of payment.

2. By entering, the submitter authorizes Endeavor Business Media to publish the project in print and digital editions of BUILDINGS and i+s magazines and across our digital and social media platforms and share with any media and/or industry partners affiliated with the Purpose Awards, with photographer attribution.

The entry may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for editorial and promotional purposes. Photography fees and publication rights are transferred via the submitter only, and Endeavor Business Meida will not be held responsible for obtaining photography usage rights by any means. 

3. Purpose Awards judges reserve the right to not award a winner in a category and/or to reassign an entry to a different category as they deem necessary.

4. No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

Product Submissions

Products will be evaluated on the following six pillars: 1. Human Health 2. Environmental Sustainability 3. Material Transparency  4. Circular Economy 5. Corporate Responsibility  6. Innovation + Design

Evaluation Criteria: For each pillar, submit a statement detailing out how the product in question proves excellence with regard to that pillar and the intent behind the product. If available, provide any supporting documentation such as third-party certifications or test results.

Project Submissions

Projects will be evaluated on the following six pillars: 1. Equitable Communities 2. Innovation + Design 3. Ecosystems 4. Resource Management 5. Energy Conservation + Management 6. Health + Well-Being

Evaluation Criteria: For each pillar, submit a statement detailing out how the project in question proves excellence with regard to that pillar and the intent behind the project. If available, provide any supporting documentation such as third-party certifications or site plans.

Meet Our Jurors

Holley Henderson

LEED Fellow / Author / Speaker / Consultant + Founder of H2 Ecodesign

Holley is known as the Commonsense Environmentalist making sustainable choices make sense for your business. H2 Ecodesign has pioneered several “firsts,”
including the first LEED-CI project in the US (Platinum Level), the first LEED-CI in China (Gold Level), as well as, the first LEED project in Thailand.

H2 Ecodesign facilitated a LEED-CS (Platinum Level) award for the largest energy provider in Thailand.

Beyond buildings, H2 Ecodesign collaborates with a myriad of product manufacturers facilitating their green path of communication including national CEU programs and training.

Currently, she is consulting for Chemical Insights, an Institute of Underwriters Laboratories who contributes to the protection of human health through scientific research. Research initiatives are focused on air quality regarding 3D printing, furniture flammability and global air pollution.

For over a decade, Holley served the National U.S. Green Building Council including Chair of the National Market Advisory Committee and LEED-CI Core Committee.

With a greater emphasis on human health and wellness in the built environment, Holley is both a Fitwel Ambassador, as well as, a WELL Accredited Professional.

Holley is author of the book Becoming a Green Building Professional.

Learn more about Holley Henderson.

Randy W. Fiser

Hon. FASID / Executive Director / CEO of AGU

Randy W. Fiser is the CEO and executive director of AGU, an innovative scientific organization with a mission to support and inspire a global community of
individuals and organizations interested in advancing discovery in Earth and space sciences and its benefit for humanity and the environment.

AGU’s 62,000-square-foot headquarters is the first net zero renovation project in Washington, D.C.

Randy is also the former CEO and president of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

By creating values-based messaging on the impact of design, he turned ASID into a leading professional society and led the design of ASID’s headquarters, which was the first LEED- and WELL Platinum-certified office in the world. 

He also serves on the National Building Museum Board of Trustees, Delos Advisory Board and International Well Building Institute Advisory—Mind Concept.  

Randy has an MBA in international business from Georgetown University, a Master of Art in student personnel in higher education from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s in science in business administration from Northern Arizona University. Learn more about Randy Fiser.

Susie Spivey-Tilson

LEED Fellow / WELL AP / Senior Program Manager for Global Energy & Sustainability, CBR

Susie Spivey-Tilson is a LEED Fellow, ISO 14001 Internal Auditor, is certified in the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) and is a certified Permaculture Designer.

She holds an MS in Sustainable Systems and a BS in Anthropology and Sustainable Development.

Her experience includes directing ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certification and LEED® certification across multiple market segments and rating systems. She has performed these services for general contractors, and architecture and engineering firms, such as tvsdesign, Skanska and BVM Engineering.

Susie has provided training for sustainable design, LEED® certification and ISO 14001 certification. She is competent in LEED® for New Construction, Commercial Interiors, Core and Shell, and Existing Buildings, EPA Target Finder and Portfolio Manager.

Susie is actively engaged with the USGBC GA Chapter Board of Directors and for many years had worked on several committees for the USGBC.  Learn more about Susie Spivey

Jean Hansen

FIIDA / LEED Fellow / CID / EDAC / AAHID / Sustainable Principal, HDR

As a highly versatile interior designer, planner and sustainable consultant with more than 30 years of experience, Jean provides expertise in the design of facilities and interiors. Her portfolio includes a range of federal, healthcare and laboratory settings, including acute care, medical office buildings, cancer and research centers and children’s hospitals. Her focus on these projects includes master planning, programming, space planning, interior design, sustainability consulting, deep green materials research, furniture specifications and design.

An early adopter of sustainable design, Jean possesses a depth of expertise and knowledge that has allowed her to make lasting contributions to the building industry. She served on Kaiser Permanente’s Green Building Committee for 10 years to develop national sustainable design standards, leading sustainable research in the textile industry where she also co-authored the Future of Fabric. She was a core committee member in the development of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Healthcare rating system and continues to participate in the development of BIFMA’s Sustainable Furniture Standards and the WELL Building Standard. She participated in the development of the Health Product Declaration and serves on the Board of the HPD Collaborative. Jean has worked on more than 40 LEED projects, developed sustainable guidelines and led sustainable research and education for healthcare organizations, manufacturers and our clients.

Learn more about Jean Hansen.