Certifications and Awards

Renown for innovation in materiality, Bark House is a regenerative company that earned world-acclaimed certifications and awards including the first PLATINUM LEVEL Cradle to Cradle Certification, B Corp Best For The World, Sanford Institute Regenerative Company, and Buckminster Fuller Catalyst Company. Product Awards include Architectural Record Product of the Year and Finalist in the John Ruskin Prize. Bark House® products honor the essence of the bark material as the manufacturing process protects the pristine character. With proprietary grading and manufacturing methods, the function of bark is elevated through building to build new capacity from forest to finish and back to soil. Bill McDonough (author of Cradle to Cradle) shared this about Bark House, “…you are looking at a product that is almost a sacred thing…people are being honored with right-fit jobs, forests are being honored with sustainable forestry, and the buildings that use these materials are being honored with safe, healthy materials.”

Several of the Certifications and awards measured inputs, and others reflect the broader nature of our outcomes. Company co-founder Chris McCurry is engaged in ongoing development as a Regenerative Practitioner through Regenesis Group.

c2c-platinum-color
2016 - 2018

Cradle to Cradle Certification™ Platinum

The world’s first and only Cradle to Cradle PLATINUM Certified™ Product. C2C provides a company with a means to tangibly and credibly measure achievement in environmentally-intelligent design and helps customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality.

C2C_gold
2008 - 2016

Cradle to Cradle Certification™ Gold

Cradle to Cradle Certification™ means using environmentally safe and healthy materials; design for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting; the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water, and maximum water quality associated with production; and instituting strategies for social responsibility. Highland Craftsmen Inc is the first company - and so far the only one - to have achieved the very prominent and elusive Platinum Level certification from Cradle to Cradle.

Bark House Buckminster Fuller
2018

Buckminster Fuller Curated Catalyst Company Award

The Buckminster Fuller Institute brings disciplines together to help create a world that works for all people without harming the environment. Bark House is honored to be in the Curated Archive as a Catalyst Program recipient for finding innovative solutions to some of humanity's most pressing problems.

barkhouse-certified-b-corporation
2016 - 2018

Cradle to Cradle Certification™ Platinum

The world’s first and only Cradle to Cradle PLATINUM Certified™ Product. C2C provides a company with a means to tangibly and credibly measure achievement in environmentally-intelligent design and helps customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality.

Architectural-Record-Products-2016-Winner-Bark-House-768x768
2016

Architectural Record Products

Architectural Record is the leading trade publication dedicated to architecture and interior design. Recognized for regenerative design, natural beauty and lasting, maintenance-free performance, Bark House® Poplar Bark Wall Coverings represent an engagement with authenticity, beauty and innovation.

John Ruskin Prize
2019

John Ruskin Finalist Prize

Finalist in the UK's fastest growing multidisciplinary art prize

ADORNING Honoree for Regenerative Business Summit 2017
2017

Regenerative Business Prize Adorning Honoree

Carol Sanford was a founder of The Regenerative Business Development Community and a leading co-developer of regenerative technology. Bark House was honored to receive a Regenerative Business Award from the Sanford Institute in the adorning category. Carol revealed that our wall finishes' highest value in architecture is in honoring the essence of the forest. The Regenerative Summit Founder, Carol Sanford said if she was in a space with our bark wall coverings, she would know that she had found a place where we belong.

Ryan Crawley, sales, and Lang Hornthal: Bark House wins 2017 Support of Local forests award from Root Cause.
2017

Root Cause Support of Local Wood Products

Root Cause awarded Bark House the 2017 Support of Local Wood Products Award in recognition of our efforts in promoting local forest products and supporting jobs in the forest products industry. Our practice of sustainability continues to renew our forests, promote their wise use, and strengthen local economies.

Highland-Craftsmen-Declare-Red-List-Free-Label-768x1238
2017/2018

Declare Red List Free

The International Living Future Institute's Declare Label helps identify those products that have chemicals and such that have been Red-Listed. Our exterior bark products are proudly Red List

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Osha Sharp Award

The NC Department of Labor recognized HIGHLAND CRAFTSMEN for receiving an OSHA SHARP award. OSHA is of course the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and SHARP is the Safety and Health Recognition Program.

houzz-badge

Houzz Badge

Bark House product images have been saved over 1,000 times by HOUZZ users

ncmep-sustainable-manufacturing-2016
2016

NCMEP Leadership Award in Sustainable Manufacturing

The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) recognizes manufacturing organizations that have demonstrated excellence in creating exceptional results in developing markets, continuous improvement, innovative technologies, advanced talent management or sustainable manufacturing and their commitment to the North Carolina manufacturing sector, as proven by outstanding performance.

GREEN INNOVATION AWARD

Green Innovation Award

This acknowledgement is related to a successful job training seminar the company sponsored on sustainable forestry and bark harvesting. Participants stated that the seminar was both timely and needed in this area of the Southern Appalachians. The goal of the seminar was to link small landowners directly to sustainable forestry management organizations and proliferate sustainable forestry management. "By localizing the supply chain with certified local products, we are increasing the market share for local individuals, creating new jobs in high unemployment areas, and retaining the flow of capital within local economies," explains company founder and organizer, Chris McCurry.

BUSINESS OF YEAR

Business of the Year

Awarded by the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce. It is significant to win this award in a community where our impact is seen as positive by those who can directly observe us every day, not just at audit time. HIGHLAND CRAFTSMEN has built a new industry in the Appalachians and created hundreds of green collar jobs for local residents. The company is honored to be part of the town revitalization projects and participating in town branding activities.

GOLDEN NAIL

The Golden Nail Award

The Golden Nail Award is given by the Spruce Pine Main Street Organization to a company that has done the most to clean and green their business. HIGHLAND CRAFTSMEN reclaimed a corner property and completely overhauled the building and landscape. Spruce Pine is a town that is undergoing revitalization after significant manufacturing and business loss. Highland Craftsmen plans to improve on additional downtown properties.

CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION

Cultural Contribution Award

As much as HIGHLAND CRAFTSMEN looks to the future, our roots run deep into rich soil. We have upheld the mountain region's culture and recognize the importance of place-making. Winning a Cultural Contribution Award from the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce meant a great deal because of this.

AG BUSINESS

Agriculture Business Award

These awards are designed to highlight and award examples of best-practice within the industry.

ADVANTAGE INNOVATION

Advantage Innovation Award

It is for an exceptional entrepreneur from the region that demonstrates corporate imagination, innovation and entrepreneurship resulting in increased teamwork, competitive advantage and overall productivity.

“…you are looking at a product that is almost a sacred thing…people are being honored with right-fit jobs, forests are being honored with sustainable forestry, and the buildings that use these materials are being honored with safe, healthy materials.”

Bill McDonough

Author and founder of Cradle to Cradle

“…if I was in a space with Bark House bark wall coverings, I would know that I had found a place where we belong.”

Carol Sanford

Author of “Regenerative Business Series”

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest
makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

Robert Lewis Stevenson

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