Vancouver Convention Centre West, courtesy of LMN Architects

Finally, venturing over the Canadian border, the last item on the list is the lone international project. The harbor side Vancouver Convention Centre West qualifies for recognition from the American Institute of Architects, because its blueprints were made in the U.S.A. by LMN of Seattle. At 1.2 million square feet, the convention center is the largest building recognized by the AIA this year, built on 14 acres of waterfront land. Incorporated into the design was a public park directly on the harbor with spectacular views of the mountains beyond North Vancouver. A living roof and a graywater system prove that even large-scale developments like this can be made more environmentally responsible.