CLEVELAND C For the 2010 Pinnacle Awards, there's a new consideration: sustainability.

The annual competition C now open for entries Cfrom the Marble Institute of America (MIA) will include the eco-friendly component as part of the evaluation of projects featuring natural-stone use.

Competition judges will also evaluate traditional criteria of beauty, creativity, ingenuity, craftsmanship and suitability of materials. Projects displaying superior effort, innovation and execution towards sustainable building goals could also be considered for the MIA's first Pinnacle Award for Sustainable Design.

The 2010 Pinnacle Awards categories will include commercial interior, commercial exterior, residential interior or exterior, and renovation/restoration projects completed from January 2007 to July 2010. Winners will be featured in a special presentation during an awards event during StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas in Las Vegas next January.

The entry deadline is Friday, August 6, 2010. The Pinnacle Awards are open to all MIA member companies; project teams must include at least one MIA member company.

The judges will select the top entries in the various categories with one selected overall as the Grande Pinnacle Award Winner, sponsored by Marmomacc; the winner receives the Grand Pinnacle trophy and a trip to Marmomacc 2011 in Verona, Italy.

"Pinnacle Award winners receive tremendous exposure and recognition both domestically and around the world," said Gary Distelhorst, MIA executive vice president. "In honoring the excellent work of MIA members, we also help design professionals see the endless possibilities of the use of natural stone in virtually any application.

"The MIA is committed to advancing green building ideals within the natural-stone industry and hopes this year to identify a worthy project for an award."