Solaire wins again.

The Solaire, the first "green" residential tower in the United States, has received two top industry distinctions.

In honor of Earth Day, Albanese Organization, the building's developer, announced last week that The Solaire received LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, as well as a Top Ten Award from the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment.

The Solaire, located at 20 River Terrace in Battery Park City, was environmentally engineered to consume 35% less energy, reduce peak demand for electricity by 65%, require 50% less potable water, provide healthier indoor air quality and provide substantially more natural light than typical residential buildings.

Among the most innovative environmental features of the new landmark building are: photovoltaic cells integrated within the exterior walls capable of generating five percent of the building's base electric load; highly filtered fresh air supply to each residence; an air conditioning system fueled by natural gas and free of ozone depleting refrigerants; an onsite water treatment system that treats and recycles water; storm water catchment system to irrigate the rooftop garden; a building management and monitoring system to control and monitor air quality, energy consumption and maintain optimum performance of all building systems; and the use of materials which both contain high recycled content to conserve natural resources.