The ASHRAE Technology Awards program is a prestigious international competition that recognizes individuals applying innovative design solutions to their projects. These awards evaluate and acknowledge occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and energy conservation achievements. To prove the effectiveness of the design solutions, projects must include one year of verifiable operating data. Awards can be submitted within specific building type categories, including Commercial Buildings, Institutional Buildings, Healthcare Facilities, Industrial Facilities or Processes, Public Assembly, and Residential. Each category has subsets for New, Existing, or Existing Commissioning projects.
As an industry leader in energy efficient, zero energy, and resilient buildings, CMTA is committed to improving the built environment by designing high-performance, sustainable projects. Over the past 20+ years, we have collected utility data from our projects to inform and improve our design process, and we continually put this data to the test through our annual submissions for the ASHRAE Technology Awards. With an unmatched record, CMTA stands as the all-time leader in the ASHRAE Technology Awards—one of the highest achievements in our industry. For the 2026 awards, we submitted projects in various markets, including K-12, higher education, and community facilities. Each submitted project has advanced from the Chapter level to Regional recognition, with our regional winners moving forward to compete in the distinguished Society level competition. CMTA was recognized with seven awards at the Winter Conference in early February, including five first-place honors presented during the plenary session.
Architect - TSKP
CMTA’s first-place Society Level Award winners includes Buckley Elementary in Manchester, CT, topping the Existing Education category. As the first out of three comprehensive renovate-as-new projects in this district, this facility has now achieved the status of the first verified Net Zero energy K-12 school in Connecticut. It is also the first verified publicly funded net zero K-12 project in New England.
Architect - isgenuity
Boston Medical Center’s Brockton Behavior Health Center in Brockton, MA, also achieved a first-place award, winning in the Existing Healthcare category. This adaptive reuse project transformed an abandoned nursing home into the first Zero Energy and Zero Carbon behavioral health hospital in the nation.
Architect – VMDO Architects
CMTA received one first-place award in the Public Assembly – New category for the Stead Park Recreation Center in Washington, D.C. As D.C.’s first Net Zero ready community center, this facility exemplifies innovation by seamlessly integrating the adaptive reuse of a century-old carriage house with modern, energy-efficient building techniques.
Architect – Perkins Eastman
Another first-place Washington, D.C. project that was recognized is DCPS’s Benjamin Banneker High School! In the Education – New category, this net-zero high school facility is a state-of-the-art facility for over 800 students, the majority of whom are from large minority populations across the city. We are proud that this project resulted in D.C.’s first zero energy and zero carbon high school.
Architect – MSA Design
Rounding out our first-place awards is Champions Hall at Centre College in Danville, KY. Topping the Other Education – New category, this facility sets a new standard for athletic and wellness facilities, seamlessly blending functionality, sustainability, and innovation. Within the first year alone, the building avoided 1,458 metric tons of CO₂ emissions—a 36% reduction compared to the baseline energy systems.
Architect - Gensler
Coming in second place in the Public Assembly – New Category is our project at Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center in Charlotte, NC. This facility is a cutting-edge facility designed with energy-efficient systems, including geothermal heat pumps, a 356.4 kW photovoltaic system, and advanced energy modeling, resulting in over $92,000 in annual utility incentives and a commitment to Zero Energy performance.
Finally, CMTA was recognized with an Honorable Mention for our project at Memorial Elementary in Hart County, KY. This renovation transformed the historic 1943 building into the district's most energy-efficient facility, achieving a 66% reduction in energy consumption through geothermal systems, advanced HVAC upgrades, and envelope improvements, all while preserving the structure. Together, these projects exemplify CMTA’s ability to deliver impactful, energy-efficient solutions in education. Team members from CMTA's offices nationwide had the privilege of attending this year’s ASHRAE Winter Conference. The four-day conference included opportunities to discuss the latest engineering trends and code updates, establish connections with vendors, and preview the latest technology. As we enter 2026, CMTA is excited to continue doing what we do best—designing energy-efficient, high-performance buildings that push the standards of sustainability and wellness.