LOS ANGELES, CA — At the 21st Annual California Green Building Awards & Green Gala, the USGBC California (USGBC-CA) community honored movers and shakers from across the state’s green building industry during the 15th Annual California Green Building Awards and Community Awards. Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, designed by AECOM, has been selected as Project of the Year, as the first professional sports venue to achieve LEED Platinum. As a fully electrified and net-zero carbon venue that also embraced community impact, the Intuit Dome moved the needle significantly for sports and entertainment complexes. Thirteen additional individual projects were awarded across transit, tech, commercial space, cultural and educational institutions, housing, and a conservation community. USGBC-CA also recognized Community Leaders, people or organizations that reflect the spirit of community, including Arup, Prologis, SPUR, and several individuals (full list below). “This has been a challenging year for those in our industry, and it is more important now than ever that we shine a bright light on those paving the way to advance sustainability and green buildings not just for California, but for communities beyond our borders,” USGBC-CA Executive Director Ben Stapleton said. “Our California Green Building Awards showcase the work of some of the best teams to be found anywhere designing, building, and operating the buildings we need for a more sustainable and resilient future for all.” The California Green Building Awards are merit-based, for built and designed (unbuilt) projects, that go above and beyond in demonstrating innovation, sustainable strategies, and exemplary performance in the fields of sustainability, occupant health, and community engagement. These awards are open to California projects, and while a certification (or pending) under any sustainability rating system is preferred, it is not required.
- Intuit Dome (Inglewood) - complete information below
- Honor - Intuit Dome (Inglewood)
- Merit - Chabot College Library & Learning Connection (Hayward)
- Merit - University of Southern California Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Human-Centered Computation Hall (Los Angeles)
- Honor - Prologis Nexus (San Leandro)
- Merit - 300 Kansas (San Francisco)
- Honor - LTSC Santa Monica & Vermont Apartments (Los Angeles)
- Merit - Chabot College Library and Learning Connection (Hayward)
- Honor - Salesforce Tower (San Francisco)
- Merit - LAX/Metro Transit Center (Los Angeles)
- Merit - SBVC Alliance for Water Stewardship Core Certification (San Bernardino)
- Honor - Central Plant AI Optimization (Carson)
- Merit - Advancing Water Efficiency in Affordable Housing (Eagle Rock)
- Honor - Lagoon Valley (Vacaville)
- Honor - Villa Esperanza Education Campus (Pasadena)
- Its PTFE and ETFE membrane panels modulate wind, sun, and rain, while 100 percent outdoor air in the arena bowl reduces energy use and improves thermal comfort.
- A 2.4 MW photovoltaic array, comprising nearly 5,500 solar panels, together with a 11.5 MWh battery energy storage support blackout resilience and peak load shedding whilst reducing carbon emissions. (The panels create a basketball hoop visual from above.)
- Materials were selected with embodied carbon reduction in mind, including low-carbon concrete and high-recycled-content steel, which cut embodied emissions by 10 percent.
- Water innovation reduces potable water use by 95 percent through reclaimed water systems and ultra-low flow fixtures.
- The Clippers worked with the city on a $100 million benefits package, supporting schools, housing, infrastructure, and job opportunities. The new arena is designed to have a positive local impact, featuring a public plaza with a basketball court and an art program showcasing local talent.
- Emerging Leader Award: Nataly Morales, OC RLAB, OCPA, Energy Programs Analyst, Orange County Power Authority
- Kevin Devine Award (two recipients): Guillermo Avila, Chief Engineer, 2 California Plaza, Able Engineering; Thermond Adams, Senior Engineer, Finastra
- Corporate Sustainability Award: Prologis
- Community Impact Award: SPUR
- Partner of the Year Award: Arup
- Heart of the Chapter Award: Izumi Tanaka, Green Realtor, Sustainability Advocate, Podcaster, Green Home Consultant
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Ignacio Valdivia, Sustainability Manager, Holliday Rock Company, Inc.
The annual Project of the Year embodies not only premier green building practices but also addresses community. Intuit Dome, home to the LA Clippers basketball team, represents all these ideals, including support of and integration with their surrounding community of Inglewood. Designed to be the most sustainable arena in the world, it was the first professional sports arena to achieve LEED v4/4.1 NC Platinum Certification. Energy efficiency was a primary driver, influencing every aspect of the building’s form, skin, and spatial configuration. The building is fully electrified, eliminating natural gas from heating, hot water, and all concessions, and providing the foundation for the team to meet its net-zero goals. Overall, the project created a venue that sets new standards in fan engagement, sustainability, and transformative design.
Highlights include:
"From the start, our vision was clear: put sustainability at the heart of the story, not on the sidelines," said Victoria Watson, Principal of High Performance Buildings at AECOM. "Intuit Dome embodies the power of collaboration and innovation, where early integrated design decisions — like the ‘shrink wrap’ thermal envelope paired with the visually dynamic grid shell — reduce energy use while enhancing thermal comfort and fan experience. This design reflects a deep commitment to net-zero and sets a precedent for arenas where sustainability shapes every moment. We are proud to have partnered with the LA Clippers on this bold journey, creating a venue that sets a new benchmark for performance, resilience, and community impact."
