SIPA announced the winners of the 21th Annual Building Excellence Awards at its member meeting on March 7, 2023. One of the most prominent offsite construction award programs, the Building Excellence Awards showcase the projects that best demonstrate the design flexibility, long-lasting energy performance and resiliency of structural insulated panels (SIPs). The award-winning projects are a testament to the advantages of utilizing forward-thinking construction methods such as SIPs to deliver a high-performance, healthier building envelope. Employing advanced materials and progressive building systems is more important and apparent than ever before, as the construction industry races to keep pace with increased demand. 

The benefits of choosing SIPs are more important and apparent than ever before. The structural panelized construction industry offers a controlled environment to produce SIPs keeping projects on schedule and reducing labor needs. This eco-conscious building envelope delivers a comfortable, healthier and more resilient structure that generations will occupy and enjoy. SIPs are also the most reliable and practical choice by achieving today’s energy performance standards without forfeiting the imaginative and visionary talents of our industry. Building professionals with experience in SIPs can attest to the efficient process – from design phase to installation – of the SIP building envelope.

The Building Excellence Awards gives SIP builders, designers and manufacturers an opportunity to showcase exemplary residential and commercial projects completed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. To be eligible for an award, SIPs must have been used on at least 50 percent of the building envelope, determined by square footage of the exterior walls and roof. The 2023 Building Excellence Award judges evaluated each project on multiple criteria, including design and structural engineering innovation, creative use of SIP construction, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

In addition to the nine categories below, project entries that demonstrated eco-efficiency, health, resilience and renewable energy were considered in the high-performance (HP) running for that category.

Affordable Housing
HP Winner: High Performance SIP Affordable Multi Habitat Homes Salt Lake Valley UT

Agricultural
Classic Winner: SIP Fish Hatchery Building Spearfish SD
Classic Runner Up: SIP Agronomy Center Rolfe IA

Commercial Over 10K Sq. Ft.
Classic Winner: SIP Dental Clinic and Offices Waukee IA
Runner Up: SIP School Campus Hailey ID

Commercial Under 10K Sq. Ft.
Classic Winner: SIP Shop Garage Renton WA
Runner Up and Honorable Mention: SIP Campers Cabin La Honda CA
 

Multifamily
Classic Winner: SIP Green Apartments Luverne MN
HP Winner: High Performance SIP Senior Cottage St. Cloud MN

Renovations
Classic Winner: SIP Community Center Escalante Area UT

Homes Over 3K Sq. Ft.
Classic Winner: SIP Secondary House Lake Metigoshe ND
Runner Up: SIP Lake House Marion IL
HP Winner: High Performance Energy Step SIP House Lake Country BC
HP Runner Up: High Performance SIP House Chapel Hill NC

Homes Under 3K Sq. Ft.
Classic Winner: ENERGY STAR SIP House Berkeley CA
Runner Up: Net Zero Energy SIP House Placitas NM
HP Winner: Zero Energy Hillside House Oak Harbor WA
HP Runner Up: High Performance SIP Passive House Kansas City MO
HP Honorable Mention: High Performance SIP Retreat Lutsen MN

Homes Under 900 Sq. Ft.
Classic Winner: Solar SIP House ADU Seattle WA
Classic Runner Up: SIP Sunflower House ADU Minneapolis MN

 Best Overall HP Residential Winner
 Zero Energy Hillside House Oak Harbor WA

 Best Overall Non-Residential Winner
 SIP Green Apartments Luverne MN

Congratulations to the 2023 award winners. To explore more award-winning SIP structures, visit the SIP Project Library, which includes more than 500 projects compiled from two decades of Building Excellence Award entries.

Check out the 2023 Building Excellence Award Look Books to view all of this year's entries. We've also included the 2024 awards application for projects completed this year - 2023!