The Richmond architecture community has a new category of “green” to be proud of today.

Last night, Richmond’s own A.C.O.R.N. (Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods) hosted its 11th annual Golden Hammer Awards event at the Virginia War Memorial and Watershed Architects is very pleased to announce that one of our projects received an award, but not the one you (or we) ever could have expected.

There were 27 nominees and, while our work made it into the top 4 finalists for the Golden Hammer Award itself, the project actually won the first ever Green Hammer Award, representing a new category created specifically for recognition of exemplary sustainable building work that aligns with ACORN’s mission.

1417 Grove Avenue, aka “The Phoenix” due to its post-fire rise back into being, is the newly renovated home of Dr. Susan Miller and Dr. Ken Kendler in The Fan. A great deal of heartfelt effort went into the design, implementation, and oversight of this project, and Watershed could not be happier for both Dr. Miller and Dr. Kendler who will proudly display the “Green Hammer” award in their new home.

Dr. Miller also had a few words of her own to say on the project “As you know, this is the centennial of the house that was built in 1910, and I think a fitting way to start the next 100 years. Thanks to all of you who have gone through the trials and tribulations of taking a burned out shell into the 21st century. I am very proud to have been associated with each of you during this project.”

Watershed sincerely wants to thank not only the clients who made this project possible, but also the many individuals and contractors who worked so hard to return this once-devastated building to serving as an extraordinary home for the Kendler-Miller family.

Be sure to check out the project links online:
Grove Avenue Green Home Project Blog
Grove Avenue Green Home Photos on Flickr
Grove Avenue Green Home Photos on Facebook
as well as some additional photos on Facebook, by Richmond photographer Jeff Saxman

You can also read more about the 2010 Golden Hammer Awards event and A.C.O.R.N., the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods.