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.
“The projects and professionals recognized this year exemplify that sustainable flooring solutions can elevate design while delivering significant environmental benefits,” said Bill Griese, Summit Chair. “Spanning healthcare, education, workplaces, public spaces and recreation, these projects showcase the broad impact sustainable flooring can have across the built environment.”
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.
Person of the Year
The 2026 Flooring Sustainability Summit Person of the Year award was presented to Edwin Lingg, Founder and Owner of LICO, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing sustainability within the flooring industry.
The Person of the Year award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated innovation through new ideas, technologies or methods that advance sustainable flooring practices; achieved measurable positive environmental impact; provided leadership that influences the industry; contributed through advocacy and the promotion of best practices; and developed scalable approaches capable of driving broader industry adoption.
“Edwin’s commitment to innovation and sustainability has had a lasting impact on the flooring industry,” said Griese. “His leadership exemplifies the type of forward-thinking vision this award was created to recognize.”
The Flooring Sustainability Summit brings together architects, designers, flooring manufacturers, sustainability professionals, policymakers and other industry stakeholders to explore practical strategies for advancing sustainability across the flooring supply chain through education, collaboration and innovation.
The Flooring Sustainability Summit is an annual forum dedicated to advancing sustainability throughout the flooring industry. Bringing together leaders from manufacturing, architecture, design, construction, policy and academia, the Summit fosters collaboration, education and innovation to help accelerate more sustainable practices across the built environment.
For more information about the Flooring Sustainability Summit and the Architecture and Design Awards, visit www.FlooringSummit.com.
