On April 8, the City of Santa Monica announced the winners of the 28th annual Sustainable Quality Awards, a partnership between the city and environmental education nonprofit Sustainable Works that recognizes sustainable economic development, social responsibility and stewardship of the environment. Patagonia Santa Monica on the Third Street Promenade was the grand prize winner, with five other local businesses receiving recognition in separate categories.
A household national name in clothing, Patagonia has been committed to environmental efforts in several ways. The company commits product donations to help environmental and community-based organizations with fundraising or engagement efforts, and partners with nonprofit groups aimed at long-term change through its Retail Grants Program.
The Santa Monica location has supported environmental programs such as Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling Los Angeles (STAND-L.A.), which seeks to clean local air and fight climate change by ending oil drilling in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Even closer to home, Patagonia has also put resources towards the Friends of Ballona Wetlands nonprofit, aiming to restore and protect the wetlands of Playa Del Rey. On a worldwide scale, Patagonia has pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment since 1985 through its "1% For The Planet" initiative.
Other local businesses receiving Sustainable Quality Awards were Angeles Investment Advisors for excellence in economic development, Avocado Green Mattress for excellence in stewardship of the environment, Physical Therapyworks for excellence in social responsibility and Yoga-urt for excellence in economic development and stewardship of the environment.
Another honor for excellence in stewardship of the environment went to HGA Architects, with Administrative Services Manager Andrea Harmon stating the HGA team was honored to be recognized by the city.
"It really aligns with our company’s goals of reducing our carbon footprint, using sustainable products in our buildings [and] in our design projects," Harmon said. "We are thrilled to have won this and be a part of it."
HGA was recommended to apply for the award after hosting the city’s "All Shades of Green" mixer event in December 2023, a process which Harmon said continues the process of commitment to sustainability in the firm’s various projects. One local build, the John Adams Middle School (JAMS) performing arts center project, was designed with environmental sustainability in mind, including the creation of an outdoor courtyard space due to the city’s temperate climate, building a space for informal gathering and improvisational performance. The project earned HGA several honors, including an AIAILA Design Merit Award in the subject of education.
"We know that kids [were] going to be in there, so we [wanted] the upholstery on the seats, the wall coverings, the flooring, the paint, everything to be as [sustainable] as possible, so that we’re not giving anyone any health concerns … we also want the people who are doing the installation, the building itself, to be working with healthful materials … we are striving for interior product that [is] as clean and good for the environment and the end users as possible," Harmon said.
In addition to a special trophy, award winning businesses will receive recognition by Santa Monica City Council members and community stakeholders at an awards ceremony, to be held May 1 at the Annenberg Community Beach House. Award recipients will also receive a highlighted presence in the Sustainable Santa Monica newsletter as well as on the city’s Green Business Tours.
