-By Stacy Straczynski

Architecture firm Perkins+Will made history today (Feb. 3) as the first architecture firm ever to be bestowed an Honor Award from the National Building Museum. The award, presented annually since 1986, aims to acknowledge those organizations who have made significant contributions to built environments.

Perkins+Will’s portfolio includes a wide array of accomplishments, which include sustainable leadership actions such as being the first multi-office firm to commit to the 2030 Challenge;  developing the “2030 e2 Energy Estimating Tool” in 2009 that  allows users to set target goals for energy efficiency;  and boasting more USGBC LEED® Accredited Professionals than any other design firm. The firm is also a leader in design education, having been recognized by Architecture for Humanity for its winning PeaPod design in the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge’s Relocatable Classroom category.

“Building socially-responsible environments requires two things: vision and experience,” says Phil Harrison, Perkins+Will president and CEO. “Our goal has been to design buildings that honor the broader goals of society since Larry Perkins and Phil Will founded Perkins+Will in 1935. We strive to continuously evolve our practice and improve how people live, work and learn.”

Harrison will accept the award on behalf of the firm at NBM’s 24th Honor Award ceremony on May 11 along with two other winning organizations: the New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village founders Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis, Ann Marie Wilkins, and Jim Pate; and The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon.

National Building Museum executive director and president Chase W. Rynd calls attention to this year’s focus on awarding civic innovators. “Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed many challenges in our society. We wanted to salute those who see these challenges as civic opportunities to innovate and build places that are inclusive, inspiring, and sustaining. This year’s honorees—which include individuals, a large design firm, and a government agency—focus on teaching, mentorship, and multi-generational knowledge as an essential way to improve our buildings and help communities thrive. The National Building Museum believes these models have, and will continue to have, an extraordinary impact in our society.”