An experiential space that engages customers while building green equity, Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park, Chicago, took top billing in the 2010 A.R.E. Sustainability Awards, presented March 10 during the A.R.E. Design Awards presentation in Las Vegas. The only competition focused on sustainable retail design, the A.R.E. Sustainability Awards honors retail projects for outstanding green building achievement. In addition to Whole Foods’ Project of the Year Award, this year’s competition resulted in two Grand Prizes, two Outstanding Merits, and three Special Recognitions.
Now in its second year, the competition drew entries from around the world. Winners ranged from sustainable retail pioneers to first-time green builders. Project teams are evolving the industry with creative solutions such as a scorecard to help consumers make sustainable in-store purchases, partnerships with manufacturers to advance lighting technology, and the integration of specialized equipment with employee training to make effective use of operable windows. For a complete list of winning projects, contributing companies, project descriptions, and images, click: