New York state boasts some of the world's most brilliant and sustainable houses. Join New York House magazine in celebrating homes that represent the best in design, energy efficiency, and environmental sensitivity. Our Best in Green Building competition aims to identify and showcase the outstanding and innovative work of architects, builders, designers, and energy experts in our region, as well as the homeowners who fund and support that work.

See the homes submitted!

Our goal is to cast a spotlight on exemplary home projects in order to bring them the attention they deserve, educate and inspire our readers, and promote green building practices in our region and beyond. All finalists will be featured in New York House Magazine.

Mohonk Mountain House, a 137-year old Victorian castle resort with an eco-friendly Spa wing, is proud to offer the winner of the Best in Green Building Competition a weekend retreat.

Projects must be single-family homes built between December 2000 and December 2007 and be located in the New York House magazine editorial coverage area: Manhattan; the boroughs of Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn; and the counties of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster, Greene, Delaware, and Columbia.

Entries will be evaluated based on best-practices guidelines as defined in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Homes Pilot Rating System, as well as aesthetics. Entries must demonstrate that they:

• Use building resources efficiently through improved design, sizing, material selection and utilization, and construction practices;
• Consume less energy through improved insulation, HVAC sizing, and renewable energy systems;
• Enhance comfort and health through improved indoor air quality and abundant natural light;
• Use land wisely through careful site selection, orientation, and landscaping;
• And are built to last for many years with minimal maintenance.

A site visit by one or more of our judges may be requested. If this is deemed necessary, you will be contacted to arrange for a convenient time for this visit.

All submissions were reviewed by our distinguished panel of architects, designers, builders, environmentalists, and sustainability experts from the region and narrowed down to 12 finalists. These were then judged and a Grand Prize winner was selected, and will be announced in the November 2008 issue of New York House.

For more information, please contact Paul McGinniss at Serendipity Associates, (845) 626-2999 or paul@serendipityassociates.com.

Photos: Allbright-Smith House. Matthew Bialecki, Architect. www.mbialeckiarch.com