Yilan County handed out its 15th public works quality awards, and the winners lean heavily toward low-carbon, eco-friendly building — good news for residents and for the county's green-construction push.

• Seventy-nine projects competed; seven teams won, five with top honors and two honorable mentions.
• The Zhao'an Creek flood-control project used stacked stone instead of heavy concrete, cutting emissions while creating habitat in the gaps between rocks.
• The new county library was laid out to follow Yilan's sunlight and monsoon winds, so it gets natural light and airflow without burning much energy.
• Other winners reused dredged material and timber, and a Luodong family center used low-formaldehyde materials and soundproof glass for small children.

Outlook: The county says it will keep pushing contractors toward the same low-carbon standard on future projects.