Foxcroft School's Stuart Hall has been named a finalist for one of the U.S. Green Building Council's Best in Building Awards. The awards, established this year, celebrate the "best of the best" in green products, projects, organizations and individuals with an impact in green building.

The 50-student dormitory was designed by USGBC member Hord Coplan Macht and opened in August 2013. It is one of just seven finalists in the "Best Project Design for LEED Building Design and Construction" category, which recognizes buildings with excellent design that were certified in the past year under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating systems.

The first green building in Foxcroft's campus-wide Go Green Initiative, Stuart Hall earned Gold Certification – the second highest among four levels in the LEED Program. In February, the building collected two Wintergreen Awards for Excellence in Green Building from the Maryland Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. There are more LEED-certified buildings in Maryland than in any other state in the U.S.

The "Best in Building" awards offer USBGC members an opportunity to earn exclusive recognition from their peers around the United States. Voting takes place through August 22 and the winners will be announced in early September.

Part of the continuing accolades stem from the unique "Project Green Build" seminar series for Foxcroft students that accompanied the construction, teaching girl about various aspects of design and building with monthly presentations, hands-on activities, and construction site visits. A second seminar, "Bridging the Gap," is accompanying the ongoing renovation of the School's oldest dormitory, Court.

"These seminars complement our innovative STEM program by offering students another engaging, hands-on opportunity," said Dr. Maria Eagen, Foxcroft's Science Department Chair. "Hord Coplan Macht and our contractors, Forrester Construction, are terrific partners in this unique business-school program."