Solutia Inc. Creates New Safe & Secure Award Category For 2007 AURORA Awards

Builders and architects who have demonstrated creativity when designing hurricane-resistant structures are invited to submit projects into the 2007 Aurora Awards, a design competition recognizing projects in the Southeastern United States. Solutia Inc., a manufacturer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers for the production of impact-resistant glass, is sponsoring a new category in the competition.

The AURORA Awards are presented annually to builders, architects, interior designers, landscape architects and other home building professionals in a 12-state region that includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Solutia's award, known as the Safe & Secure Award will recognize builders, designers, architects, and other home building professionals who incorporate the use of - and meet or exceed code requirements for - impact-resistant windows and doors for safety, as well as for the use of other design elements that minimize the effects of hurricanes and other disasters on homes and multi-family structures.

"The building industry has responded remarkably to the need for improved protective measures in residential structures during the past ten years," says Stephany Davenport, marketing manager at Solutia Inc. "We've seen our KeepSafe Maximum ® interlayers for impact-resistant glass used in countless projects where property was protected and lives were saved. It's been an extremely rewarding experience. Now, we'd like to salute those individuals who have made a commitment to designing and building safer structures. We are delighted to partner with the AURORA Awards and its long heritage of recognizing outstanding projects in the Southeast."

Judges for the Safe & Secure Award will look for projects that demonstrate excellence in code-plus passive protection measures relating to product usage including roofing, walls, windows and doors. Overall design strategy and aesthetic appeal will also be considered. Finally, affordability will be considered, as it relates to the overall cost of the project. Projects may not be more than two years old at time of entry. Entries are due March 9, 2007 and the late date to enter a completed portfolio is April 13, 2007.

Safe & Secure Award competition entry categories will include:
· Attached For-Sale Homes
· Detached Single Family Home
· Custom Home (One of a Kind)
· High Rise Residential
· Remodel (significant changes to existing structures in all of the above)

Jeffry Quinn, chief executive officer of Solutia, has pledged significant company resources toward the adoption of safer building practices in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi following the devastation created by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

"We look forward to spotlighting other companies and individuals who have made a commitment to safer building practices," says Quinn. "When manufacturers work in concert with the creativity of builders and architects, great accomplishments can be made on behalf of the homeowner."

The AURORA Awards program is affiliated with the Florida Home Builders Association and the Southeast Building Conference - one of two regional trade shows recognized by and affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders. Award winners are announced each year in conjunction with the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC).

The judges selected for the AURORA Awards are nationally-recognized professionals from the fields of home building, development, architecture, land planning, interior merchandising, marketing and media (building trade publications). Judging is based on a point system that rates each entry on a specific set of criteria and its own merit. Solutia will select its own panel of judges to review Hurricane Protection entries. The jury will be announced in the fall of 2006.

Solutia will award one Grand Aurora and up to two Aurora Award at the 2007 gala held annually at the Southeast Builder's Conference in Orlando.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Aurora awards.