environmental solutions Building Toward 2030 Green Building Challenge celebrates high-performance projects throughout Northeast Ohio By Cynthia Cicigoi Cleveland 2030 District
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he Cleveland 2030 District and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Ohio Community (USGBC Ohio) partnered for another year to promote their Green Building Challenge. This initiative recognizes commercial building projects in Northeast Ohio that exceed basic standards to achieve high-performing results in energy efficiency, water management, reducing transportation emissions and creating a healthy indoor environment.
OVERALL WINNER The Campus of Wickliffe 2221 Rockefeller Rd., Wickliffe Submitter: ThenDesign Architecture Wickliffe City Schools previously operated three aging, oversized school buildings that would have required significant renovations to meet current technology standards and support the district’s long-term education vision. The new PreK-12 campus reduces operational costs while improving efficiency, and offers a wider variety of learning environments. This LEED Silver-certified project showcases a number of features that conserved energy and water, and created a healthy indoor environment for students and staff. Among them, opti36
Photo courtesy of TDA
Submissions were accepted in early 2026 for projects completed by the end of 2025. Projects that submitted for multiple categories were considered for the award of Overall Winner. A panel of local professionals judged the competition and named the winning projects. Judges included Rob Donaldson, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel ambassador, associate principal/project manager with Moody Nolan; Joshua Haney, global architecture leader/principal with DLR Group; Daniella Kosareo, director of mechanical at Osborn Engineering; and Neeraja Pandav, project designer with Bowen. This year 10 projects were recognized for their exemplary results:
The Campus of Wickliffe
mized HVAC systems, LED lighting, daylighting and enhanced commissioning all played a role in the efficient use of energy, leading to a 22% reduction compared to a baseline value. Low-flow plumbing fixtures achieve significant water savings of 35% and native landscaping eliminates the need for irrigation systems after the plants have been established. The project also incorporated enhanced ventilation and low VOC materials. The Wickliffe Family Resource Center is located within the school and, through partnerships with Signature Health, provides essential services and resources for families across Lake County. The
District has seen a 12% drop in chronic absenteeism due to the Center.
ENERGY CONSERVATION WINNER Chagrin Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant 301 Meadow Ln., Chagrin Falls Submitter: YellowLite The Village of Chagrin Falls is reducing electric use and costs for its wastewater treatment facility through a multi-phased strategy. In Phase 1, they focused on using solar energy to cut both their carbon footprint and operational expenses, saving taxpayers money in the Properties | June 2026