Photo by Jerry Foreman

The Applied Research and Development building, awaiting official word on its Platinum LEED rating, has won two more honors—the second and third of 2007.

Northern Arizona University's signature building won two Best of 2007 awards from Southwest Contractor, a leading construction industry publication.

The building won awards in two categories: Public Green Building Project and Higher Education Project. Both nominations were submitted by Burns Wald-Hopkins Architects and Kitchell Contractors Inc.

The 10th annual competition recognizes construction and design excellence in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. More than 700 entries were received with a record 282 representing Arizona projects.

An independent jury of eight design and construction professionals selected 24 winning projects among 23 categories, with two additional editor's choice awards. Along with ARD, winners included Flagstaff's Cedar Avenue pedestrian bridge and the Chinle Sports Complex on the Navajo Nation.

NAU is awaiting official word on ARD's "Platinum" rating from Leadership Energy and Environment Design building rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council.

In July, the building was awarded the 2007 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award from the Structural Engineers Association of Arizona. The award was presented to Schneider and Associates, NAU's structural engineering consultants.

Read about all the 2007 Arizona winners online.