For the first time in nearly a decade, the Tilt-Up Convention and Expo will present a new award: the TCA Achievement in Sustainability + Resilience Award.

Developed by the TCA Sustainability Committee, the annual award recognizes leadership in the design, construction, and life cycle performance of site-cast tilt-up concrete structures across North America. “Sustainability is about creating healthy, resilient spaces that minimize operational costs and maximize resilience during extreme events,” said Erika Winters Downey, director of Sustainable Structures at Clayco/Lamar Johnson Collaborative. “The TCA is proud to acknowledge projects that achieve these goals.”

Designed to celebrate innovation and impact, the award reflects the industry’s growing commitment to environmental responsibility, durability, and long-term performance. “Reducing consumption, reusing materials, and recycling is not just good for the environment but also good for business,” said Jesse Hunt of Powers Brown Architecture. “Our submission criteria are well-rounded and will attract diverse projects and teams.”

“I’ve been deeply impressed by the initiative and rigor this committee has brought to the development of this new award,” said Mitch Bloomquist, executive director of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association. “They are exceptionally well qualified to lead this effort and to shape how sustainability and resilience are defined in the context of tilt-up construction.”

The introduction of this award comes at a pivotal time for the tilt-up concrete construction industry. “Building resilience and business continuity are becoming key considerations in sustainable design,” said Erica Godun, director of Sustainability at Ware Malcomb. “It’s a great time to focus on advances in concrete and construction methods to showcase the benefits of sustainable design.”

As the judging process begins, the TCA Sustainability Committee is also leading a series of “Sustainability Spotlights,” highlighting member companies, their values, and the practices that position tilt-up as a forward-thinking building method. These stories will be shared throughout the lead-up to the 2025 Tilt-Up Convention & Expo in Nashville, where the inaugural winner(s) will be announced.

Learn more about the TCA Sustainability Committee: https://tilt-up.org/tilt-uptoday/2024/10/02/tca-sustainability-committee-statement/