Minneapolis, MN— The Forest Stewardship Council-US (FSC-US) announced the winners of the 5th annual Designing & Building with FSC Awards at Greenbuild. The awards celebrate the best in U.S. and Canadian green architecture and construction using FSC-certified materials -- those sourced from forests managed to high environmental and social standards.

Las Vegas's new CityCenter earned first place in the commercial/institutional category. This LEED-certified 67-acre mixed use-development employed more than $41 million worth of FSC-certified wood, the greatest amount in a single building project in the United States to date. CityCenter is a strong market driver for FSC: More than 10 wood suppliers received FSC certification in order to supply wood to the project. CityCenter will help spread the FSC message widely with the millions who visit Las Vegas each year.

First place in the residential category went to Keith Waters & Associates and WD Flooring LLC, in Minneapolis, for their Portico on the Green residence, in Minnetonka, Minn., the first home in the state to receive Silver certification through the Minnesota GreenStar Pilot program.

The amount of FSC-certified wood used in both of these top-honors projects is 87 percent by cost.

Honorable mentions were also awarded in each category. Washington, D.C.-based Envision Design's project for Generation IM North America Headquarters in New York was recognized for its refined use of FSC-certified wood in both the office and in the furniture. Led by its chairman, The Honorable Al Gore, Generation IM is dedicated to thought leadership on sustainability and capital markets.

In the residential category, an honorable mention was given to Allen Associates for Victoria Garden Mews, in Santa Barbara, Calif., which used FSC-certified wood throughout its re-creation of Victorian moulding, dentils and trim profiles. The house received a 5-star rating from Santa Barbara's Built Green program.

For more information about the winning projects and to see photos, visit www.fscus.org/green_building/2009_winners.php.