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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2019
John Ruskin Finalist Prize
Finalist in the UK's fastest growing multidisciplinary art prize

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.

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.

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

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

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
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 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.

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 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.

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

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.