We’re honored to share that Slate Upper School has received a 2025 Sustainable Architecture Award of Excellence from AIA Connecticut.
The Sustainable Architecture Awards program recognizes projects that address environmental challenges through thoughtful design. It celebrates work that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers energy demand, conserves water, and contributes to healthier, more durable built environments. A joint initiative of AIA Connecticut and Connecticut Passive House, the program highlights how architecture can lead the way toward a more sustainable future while raising public awareness about the impact of design, construction, and building operations.
The 2025 jury, composed of Naomi Darling (Naomi Darling Architecture), Timothy Lock (OPAL), and Nina Kagan (475 High Performance Building Supply), praised Slate Upper as “beautifully executed… with thoughtful site strategy, strong material choices, and an impressive EUI of 22. The design celebrates mass timber and skillfully balances light and dark interior spaces. Clear attention to the Framework for Design Excellence supports a holistic sustainability approach, emphasizing natural and bio-based materials while substantially reducing energy use.”
Designed for net-zero readiness, Slate Upper features an EUI of just 22 kBtu/ft², Passive House-level airtightness, and daylight autonomy in classrooms and common spaces. A high-performance envelope with wood-fiber insulation and vapor-open barriers minimizes thermal bridging, while hybrid timber construction and recycled pozzolan concrete reduce embodied carbon. The site design manages all stormwater onsite, avoids synthetic inputs, and prioritizes Red List Free materials. The project is pursuing certifications including Passive House (PhiUS) and Living Building Challenge Petals and incorporates WELL Building Standard principles.
We are proud to see this project recognized among other outstanding examples of sustainable design. Learn more and explore the full list of 2025 award recipients at AIA Connecticut.