Frequently asked questions
Thanks to all who were able to join our Q&A call on September 8th. For those who were unable the following questions were asked:
Do the Austin Green Awards have categories?
No. Other than the division between constructed and conceived (un-built, ideas, etc.) there are no categories, or quotas, in the Austin Green Awards. The primary direction given to the judges is to select projects they believe deserve recognition.
What if a project has a compelling energy story, but is not as compelling in other areas (such as water or location)? Would it still be considered?
Yes. The primary direction given to the judges is to select projects they believe deserve recognition. They recognize that each project has unique design challenges and solutions. Projects do not need to be exemplary in all measures. Teams should uses the narrative section of each measure to explain their approach, and strategy, to each measure.
What if we only have partial data for some of the requested metrics?
Please answer all questions as completely as you are able. Provide additional explanation, and any other metrics you wish to include, in the narrative and or the explanation / special circumstances sections.
Should the EUI contain all sources of energy used?
Yes, the EUI should include all sources of energy. This may require unit conversions when combining consumption from different fuel sources.
What if a constructed project has a component that was planned, but not yet built? For example special landscaping?
For entries in the constructed category entrants are allowed to address design elements that are planned. However, entrants are also cautioned that the judges will likely want to understand why an unbuilt element was not constructed, and the plan to fund and construct that element.
Please clarify the baseline for water reduction calculations.
The LEED v4 baseline should be used to measure all water reductions. Please be aware this differs from the baseline in the AEGB calculator and previous versions of LEED. A hyperlink to the LEED v4 baseline is included on the entry sheet and below.
https://www.usgbc.org/node/1734960?return=/credits/new-construction/v4/water-efficiency
Should / can the image files that are requested be included on the board?
Yes – the design of the board is up to the entrant. Please tell the project’s sustainability story in whatever way you feel is most compelling. The only information the judges will be provided is the entry form and the board. The individual photos WILL NOT be provided to the judges, we request those photos should the project be selected for recognition.
Do the Austin Green Awards have categories?
No. Other than the division between constructed and conceived (un-built, ideas, etc.) there are no categories, or quotas, in the Austin Green Awards. The primary direction given to the judges is to select projects they believe deserve recognition.
What if a project has a compelling energy story, but is not as compelling in other areas (such as water or location)? Would it still be considered?
Yes. The primary direction given to the judges is to select projects they believe deserve recognition. They recognize that each project has unique design challenges and solutions. Projects do not need to be exemplary in all measures. Teams should uses the narrative section of each measure to explain their approach, and strategy, to each measure.
What if we only have partial data for some of the requested metrics?
Please answer all questions as completely as you are able. Provide additional explanation, and any other metrics you wish to include, in the narrative and or the explanation / special circumstances sections.
Should the EUI contain all sources of energy used?
Yes, the EUI should include all sources of energy. This may require unit conversions when combining consumption from different fuel sources.
What if a constructed project has a component that was planned, but not yet built? For example special landscaping?
For entries in the constructed category entrants are allowed to address design elements that are planned. However, entrants are also cautioned that the judges will likely want to understand why an unbuilt element was not constructed, and the plan to fund and construct that element.
Please clarify the baseline for water reduction calculations.
The LEED v4 baseline should be used to measure all water reductions. Please be aware this differs from the baseline in the AEGB calculator and previous versions of LEED. A hyperlink to the LEED v4 baseline is included on the entry sheet and below.
https://www.usgbc.org/node/1734960?return=/credits/new-construction/v4/water-efficiency
Should / can the image files that are requested be included on the board?
Yes – the design of the board is up to the entrant. Please tell the project’s sustainability story in whatever way you feel is most compelling. The only information the judges will be provided is the entry form and the board. The individual photos WILL NOT be provided to the judges, we request those photos should the project be selected for recognition.
submission package - version 2
there is an updated version of the submission package with clarifications under basic requirements.
Do submissions need to be LEED or AEGB certified projects?
No - Submissions do not need to be certified or seeking certification from any green building rating programs.
Will submissions need to be available for tours at any point during the awards?
No - Tours are not a part of the AGA's.
Will the submitting firm remain anonymous during judging?
All identifying information will be on Page 3 of the submission package only. Judges will only receive the project narratives. Nominations should not contain any details identifying the submitting organization or team members.
How are funds raised through the awards used?
The AGAs are operated as a non-profit event. All funds raised for the AGAs are used to curate judging process, pay for awards and the reception night. Any excess funds will be reserved for the 2017 AGAs. The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems services as 501c3 non-profit fiscal sponsor for the AGAs.
Will there be multiple award categories?
Yes - there will be multiple awards and award categories recognizing sustainability in different areas. applicants are encouraged to submit multiple projects that cut across different areas of sustainability.
How do you pay the entry fee?
There will be an online payment option located on the web page where you will submit your entry documents. payment in the form of a check will also be accepted and can be made out to and mailed to:
center for maximum potential building systems
8604 FM 969
Austin, Texas 78724
there is an updated version of the submission package with clarifications under basic requirements.
- submission fee waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. please contact info@atxgreenawards.org.
- project submission boards shall not have the firm(s) or team(s) names on the board or within text. This is to allow blind judging.
- More locations – Projects in the five county Austin Metropolitan Area (Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, & Caldwell) are eligible
- Older projects are eligible – There is no longer a restriction on project age.
- Added measures - This year we will be asking for narrative and metrics on how the project addresses the following topics, with both mandatory and optional metrics:
- energy
- Water
- materials
- site ecosystem services
- Health + Wellbeing
- operational strategy
- ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
- Equity + Engagement
- Community & land use
- resilience
- New submission format. This year submissions will consist of the following:
- submission form (PDF with fields filled out with narratives and metrics)
- PDF of display board – content and layout will be determined by entrant. If your project is selected a winner, the board will be printed and displayed (24x36) immediately following the October 25th Austin Green Awards at the After Party
- Images – for AGA awardees, 1-3 high resolution images to be used in the Awards Presentation and website
- Unbuilt / Ideas / Concepts / Game Changers Entries - The “On the Boards” category has been revised. This year’s “conceived” category allows entrants to submit a PDF of a 24x36 display board to present their ideas or project. The Judges will select their favorites. those boards will then be displayed at the AGA Awards ceremony and a winner will be selected based on votes cast by event attendees.
- I entered last year, is my entry fee waived for this year? - Yes! In recognition of those who entered in our inaugural 2016 Austin Green Awards, we are waiving the entry fee -- this applies only to the same project entered in 2016. 2017 entries must comply with this year’s entry requirements. If you plan on re-submitting a 2016 entry please let us know and we will let you know how to handle payment.
Do submissions need to be LEED or AEGB certified projects?
No - Submissions do not need to be certified or seeking certification from any green building rating programs.
Will submissions need to be available for tours at any point during the awards?
No - Tours are not a part of the AGA's.
Will the submitting firm remain anonymous during judging?
All identifying information will be on Page 3 of the submission package only. Judges will only receive the project narratives. Nominations should not contain any details identifying the submitting organization or team members.
How are funds raised through the awards used?
The AGAs are operated as a non-profit event. All funds raised for the AGAs are used to curate judging process, pay for awards and the reception night. Any excess funds will be reserved for the 2017 AGAs. The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems services as 501c3 non-profit fiscal sponsor for the AGAs.
Will there be multiple award categories?
Yes - there will be multiple awards and award categories recognizing sustainability in different areas. applicants are encouraged to submit multiple projects that cut across different areas of sustainability.
How do you pay the entry fee?
There will be an online payment option located on the web page where you will submit your entry documents. payment in the form of a check will also be accepted and can be made out to and mailed to:
center for maximum potential building systems
8604 FM 969
Austin, Texas 78724
