The Omega Center for Sustainable Living wins the industry’s most prestigious green design award, showcasing excellence in sustainable design principles and reduced energy (net zero energy and water) consumption.

The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL), located in Rhinebeck, New York, received the industry’s most prestigious award for sustainable design excellence, which is presented annually by AIA/COTE on Earth Day.

Omega’s mission is to “look everywhere for the most effective strategies and inspiring traditions that might help people bring more meaning and vitality into their lives.” In 2006, they embarked on a journey to support this mission by developing a new and highly sustainable wastewater filtration facility for their 195-acre campus. Completed in May of 2009, the OCSL has quickly gained attention for embodying the highest level of environmental stewardship.

“The Omega Center for Sustainable Living is a model for water stewardship and regenerative architectural design,” said Laura Lesniewski, Project Principal. “BNIM commends the vision of the client for their intensive collaboration and willingness to take this project into a realm of unparalleled leadership and performance. The OCSL has much to teach all of us about the potential for sustainable design and construction.”

The OCSL received national design recognition in 2008 when it was recognized as the first Living Building Competition winner for its design. Among the metrics of the Living Building Challenge are net zero water and energy utilization based on efficiency and renewable energy and water systems, as well as strict material requirements and beauty and inspiration, just to name a few.