Awards
2025
Green Good Design for Sustainable Design (International Award)
2024
1210 Maple, Evanston - 'Evanston’s First Passive House’
Winner - ‘Architectural Design for Sustainable and Energy Saving’
’Design Excellence in High Performance Buildings’
’BLT Built Design Award’
Design Evanston
522 1/2 Forest Ave., Evanston 'Accessible Coach House'
Design Evanston
1514 Judson Ave., Evanston - 'Evanston Perfection’
Design Evanston
Design Excellence in High Performance Buildings - Projects under 5000 s.f.
AIA Illinois
2023
The Best Architecture Firms in Chicago, Illinois
Home Builder Digest
2022
Best of 2022 Award - Best Architect in Chicago
Better Magazine
2020
Crystal Cabinet Work 2020 Design Award Winners - Kitchen - Primary Bathroom
2019
Best of 2019 Award - Best Architect in Chicago
Better Magazine
14th Annual Emerald Award - Emerald Award for Individual Leadership
Illinois Green Alliance
Nathan Kipnis FAIA, was honored with the Emerald Award for Individual Leadership for his long-time commitment to advancing sustainability within the built environment. His commitment to carbon drawdown action is reflected not only in the award-winning homes he designs but in his work as a dedicated volunteer and advocate for the green building movement. Nate is advancing sustainability at many different scales, from his role locally in helping craft the Evanston Climate Action Plan, to helping pass the Lake Michigan Wind Energy Act, to serving as a founding member and current national co-chair of the AIA’s 2030 Commitment.
2018
LEED Platinum Certification
1426 Mulford, Evanston, IL
(1st LEED Platinum home in Evanston)
2017
Design Evanston Excellence Award - Addition
1300 Church Street | Evanston
Design Evanston Excellence Award - Addition
2413 Payne Street Green Bungalow | Evanston
2015
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA)
Highland Park Preservation Award
588 Sheridan Road | Highland Park
Design Evanston Excellence Award - Interior Design
Craftjack Offices | Evanston
Evanston Preservation Award - Sensitive Addition
Green Bungalow | Evanston
2013
Blue Ribbon Award (LEED Platinum Home)
Friends of the Chicago River
2012
LEED Platinum Certification
(1st LEED Platinum home on the Northshore)
LEED Platinum Home | Glencoe
2011
Glencoe Historic Preservation Commission Preservation Award
New Construction category - LEED Platinum Home | 370 Washington Avenue, Glencoe
2011 Green Award (Article - Video)
Chicago Magazine
Evanston Preservation & Design Award - Sensitive Addition/Alteration
City of Evanston, 2305 Hartrey, Evanston
2010
Presidential Citiation
Service on the 2030 Challenge Committee - Chicago AIA
Design Evanston Excellence Award - Urban Design/Planning
'Evanston Offshore Windfarm'
2009
Reader’s Choice – Home of the Decade,
Natural Home Magazine, Vernacular Vacation Home, Sturgeon Bay, WI
2008
‘Wall of Fame’ Suite Sixteen
i4Design Magazine, Chicago
Evanston Preservation & Design Award - Sensitive Addition/Alteration
2039 Orrington, Evanston
Good Neighbor Award
Chicago Association of Realtors, 801/807 St. John’s Avenue, Highland Park
2007
Environmental Stewardship Award
Environment Board, City of Evanston
2006
Evanston Preservation Award - Sensitive Addition
1837 Asbury Residence, Evanston
Evanston Preservation Award - Sensitive Addition
2514 Jackson Residence, Evanston
2003
Honorable Mention - Environmental Design + Construction Excellence in Design
City of Chicago DOE, ‘Green Homes for Chicago’, 646 W.Englewood, Chicago
Evanston Preservation Award - Sensitive Addition
1112 Hinman Residence, Evanston
2001
Design Evanston Excellence Award
Clybourn Financial Building, 2930 Central Street, Evanston
2000
'Green Homes for Chicago' Selection
City of Chicago | Department of the Environment
1998
Evanston Preservation Award - Rehabilitation
2208 Wesley Avenue Residence, Evanston
Evanston Preservation Award - Neighborhood Revitalization
Bills Finer Foods, Evanston
1990
Honorable Mention – Burnham Prize Competition
Chicago Architectural Club, Burnham Prize Competition, Chicago
1989
Chicago Reader selection for 1st Place – ‘The Seasonal Awakening’
Alternate Visions: Chicago