Warren Elementary School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, won the Education Project of the Year at the Flooring Sustainability Awards for its innovative approach to sustainable school design, including the use of 43,000 feet of HempWood® flooring.
An independent panel of judges representing architecture, design, industry and sustainability disciplines selected the honorees in the award program hosted in Washington D.C. at the American Institute of Architects headquarters. Designed by Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects in
Rapidly renewable hemp meets soy-based materials in the flooring at Warren Elementary School, recognized as the 2026 Flooring Sustainability Summit’s Education Project of the Year.
partnership with Warren County Public Schools, the project was recognized for creating a healthier, more sustainable learning environment for students and teachers through thoughtful material selection and resource-conscious design. Jennifer Cash of Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects and Chris McIntyre of Warren County Public Schools were recognized for their contributions to the project.
Chief Financial Officer and Construction Supervisor for Warren County Public Schools Chris McIntyre, says, “As a zero-VOC, formaldehyde-free, Kentucky Proud product, HempWood supports a healthier environment for our students and staff while also contributing to a negative CO2 impact—something we value deeply in our commitment to sustainability.”
The school incorporates rapidly renewable materials, including HempWood flooring. Made from rapidly renewable industrial hemp, HempWood uses a soy-based adhesive to bind the hemp fibers together, creating a durable flooring material that incorporates agricultural resources into the built environment. Warren Elementary is the second of five Warren County Public Schools that will feature HempWood flooring, reflecting the district’s ongoing commitment to healthier, more sustainable building materials. The project also prioritized zero-volatile organic compound and low-emitting products to support improved indoor environmental quality. These material choices complement Warren County Public Schools’ broader commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability and long-term environmental performance. The project was designed to support the school’s broader net-zero and sustainability goals while creating a healthier learning environment for students and teachers.
The award highlights how thoughtful material selection can contribute to healthier learning environments while supporting broader sustainability goals. By incorporating HempWood flooring, which combines rapidly renewable hemp with soy-based materials, alongside other resource-conscious design strategies, Warren Elementary demonstrates how schools can thoughtfully integrate renewable and biobased materials into high-performance educational spaces.
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- HempWood flooring at Warren Elementary School, the 2026 Flooring Sustainability Summit’s Education Project of the Year.
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- Greg Wilson, Founder of Hempwood, receiving the Education Project of the Year Award