City Market Adds Efficiency Vermont Win to Awards Tally

February 13, 2019

Freeman French Freeman was recognized for excellence in energy-saving construction by Efficiency Vermont at its annual conference at the Burlington Hilton on February 7, 2019.  FFF was one of three winners in the commercial building category for its design of City Market, Onion River Co-op’s new South End store. 

The building boasts a variety of energy-saving features, ranging from an exceptionally tight building envelope to state-of-the-art refrigeration systems. One year after opening, the results have been impressive: energy consumption per square foot at the South End store has been less than half of what the Co-op’s downtown store uses. 

The award from Efficiency Vermont is the latest in a string of honors for the 32,000 square-foot grocery store.  Since opening in late 2017, City Market has received multiple awards for its new South End market:

The Burlington Business Association awarded City Market its 2018 Hertzel Pasackow Award for Architectural Excellence. The award is given annually to recognize buildings that make a significant contribution to the physical or architectural quality of Burlington.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England Office, recognized City Market for its commitment to sustainable design with a 2018 Environmental Merit Award. One of just two winning projects in Vermont, the EPA took note of City Market’s efforts to clean up and reuse a heavily contaminated site, its human-scaled, pedestrian-friendly design, and its energy-saving equipment.

The EPA also recognized City Market with a 2018 GreenChill Awardfor having the lowest refrigerant emissions rate in the country among all small and independent grocers. GreenChill is an EPA Partnership with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change.

In September, City Market was named Natural Retailer of the Year in the Creative New Store category by the New Hope Network. The award was given at Natural Products Expo East, the nation’s largest trade show for the natural products industry.

Finally, Metal Architecture Magazine featured City Market in a four-page spread in its January issue. The national publication praised the market for its innovative use of art and imagery on the building’s metal clad skin.

Freeman French Freeman is a 20-person team of architects and designers who create innovative and enduring spaces for clients across northern New England. Learn more about our firm and our commitment to healthy, sustainable, and prosperous communities at www.fffinc.com. 

Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont Legislature to help Vermonters reduce energy costs, strengthen the economy, and protect Vermont’s Economy. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.

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