Winners of 2026 Flooring Sustainability Summit Architecture & Design Awards Announced

Washington, DC, July 16, 2026—The Flooring Sustainability Summit announced the winners of the 2026 Flooring Sustainability Summit Architecture and Design Awards, recognizing outstanding projects and individuals that demonstrate excellence in sustainable flooring specification, design and innovation. 

The awards, sponsored by Ecomedes, were presented during a ceremony held at the AIA Global Campus for Architecture and Design following a welcome from AIA’s Andrew Flank and additional remarks from Green Building Initiative’s Hon. Stephen Ayers, the 11th Architect of the Capitol. 

The annual awards celebrate architects, designers and industry leaders whose work demonstrates measurable environmental impact, innovative thinking and a commitment to advancing sustainability across the built environment. Entries were evaluated by an independent panel of judges representing architecture, design, industry, and sustainability disciplines. 

2026 Flooring Sustainability Summit Architecture and Design Award Winners 

Public/Community Project of the Year: Valley of Fire State Park Visitor’s Center 

Firm: LGA Architecture 

The Valley of Fire State Park Visitor’s Center was recognized for its sustainable terrazzo flooring, seamlessly integrated sustainability with architecture inspired by the surrounding Mojave Desert landscape. The project prioritized Red List Free, bio-based materials with reduced global warming potential while emphasizing material transparency, long-term durability, and a design approach that reinforces visitors’ connection to the site’s unique natural environment. Office/Workplace Project of the Year: Commercial Flooring Recovery Partnership 

Company: ReCover Recycling Program 

This carpet flooring project transformed a routine flooring replacement into a model of circular economy principles by recovering nearly 94,000 square feet of existing flooring and recycling it into new flooring products. The designers also prioritized recycled-content materials, product transparency, and low-emitting finishes, demonstrating how large-scale commercial renovations can reduce waste, conserve resources, and support healthier interior environments. 

Education Project of the Year: Warren Elementary School 

Firm/Company: Sherman Carter Barnhart and Warren County Public Schools 

Recognized Individuals: Jennifer Cash (SCB Architects) and Chris McIntyre (Warren County Public Schools)

Featuring hemp wood flooring, this project created a healthier, more sustainable learning environment for students and teachers in Warren, Kentucky through thoughtful material selection and resource-conscious design. It incorporated rapidly renewable materials manufactured using solar energy and prioritized zero-VOC, low-emitting products to improve indoor environmental quality while supporting the school’s broader net-zero and long-term sustainability goals. 

Recreation/Athletic Project of the Year: Creighton University Volleyball Court 

Firm: GLGR 

Recognized Individuals: Tim Gallagher, Chief Creative Officer; Sam Grunseth, Senior Experience Designer; Huson Miller, Designer; and Monica Cullen, Design Operations 

This project, featuring synthetic sports flooring, stood out for its innovative approach to circularity, incorporating the previously-existing competition floor into Creighton’s new practice facility rather than sending it to a landfill. This strategy extended the useful life of the flooring while illustrating how long-term material stewardship can be successfully incorporated into collegiate athletic facilities. 

Healthcare/Institutional Project of the Year: University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine 

Firm: HOK 

Recognized Individuals: Paul Strohm, Principal; William Wahle, Senior Project Manager; Mark Banholzer, Senior Project Designer; and Alison Giometti, Senior Project Architect 

This project earned LEED Platinum certification while demonstrating how ceramic tile and advanced installation systems can support long-term performance in a complex healthcare environment. The project reduced material waste through integrated installation systems and prefabricated construction methods, improved indoor environmental quality with low-emitting materials, and created a durable, highly maintainable facility designed to serve patients and staff for decades.