Nineteen projects recognized for design excellence

Tonight, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle chapter honored architecture projects from across Washington State for projects exhibiting design excellence in a broad array of building types. Award-winning projects, announced at a packed event at Benaroya Hall, served as powerful demonstrations of outstanding design across a spectrum of projects, from a correctional facility to a karaoke bar.

Of the 140 submittals to the 2011 AIA Seattle Honor Awards, four received an Honor Award five received Merit Awards, five received Commendations and three received Citations for their work. As a general theme of the submissions showed the integration of sustainability into architectural work, stating that the “old discussion of green design being in opposition to good design argument is history.”

The four Honor Awards went to:

• Art Stable by Olson Kundig Architects, which was unanimously well-received by the jurors, one of whom felt the project “improved the standing of architecture in the United States.”
• Vancouver Community Library by The Miller Hull Partnership. Jurors appreciated its “monumental presence” and felt the “public, semi-private, and private spaces worked well together.”
• Wood Block Residence by chadbourne + doss architects. Jurors felt this remodel, building on a Fred Bassetti original, “made smart choices between original structure and new elements.”
• LOTT Clean Water Alliance Regional Services Center by The Miller Hull Partnership. Juror’s were impressed that both client and project team succeeded in making a utilitarian project a “resolute work of architecture.”

Five projects received Merit Awards. They include Eagle Ridge by Gary Gladwish Architecture; PACCAR Hall, Foster School of Business by LMN Architects; Rock Box by mw|works; Sol Duc Cabin by Olson Kundig Architects; and SCCA Patient House by Weinstein A|U Architects + Urban Designers.

Seven Commendations were awarded: Admiral Live-Work by zimmerraystudios; Gray Middle School by Mahlum; Kenmore Library by Weinstein A|U Architects + Urban Designers; Maier Hall by Schacht Aslani Architects; Starbucks Coffee Ohori Park by Starbucks, Push_Pull Residence by mw|works, and South Correctional Entity (SCORE) by DLR Group.

The following three unbuilt projects received Citations: 2026 E Madison Mixed-Use Building by Weinstein A|U Architects + Urban Designers LLC; Samsung International Hospital by NBBJ; and, submitted to the “Idea” category, The Battery Street Tunnel Project by Mona Johnston.

Of the 19 projects selected, 17 were either located or envisioned in Washington State and two were international projects. 10 projects were institutional, seven residential, and two commercial.

Project images, project teams, and more can be found here.

EDITOR’S NOTE: High-resolution images of awarded projects available upon request.

The three-person jury included Marlon Blackwell FAIA (University of Arkansas), Martin Felsen AIA (Chicago) and Jennifer Yoos (Minneapolis). The event was moderated by Nancy Levinson, Editor, Places/Design Observer. Co-Chairs for the 2011 AIA Seattle Honor Awards were Wendy Pautz AIA of LMN Architects and Guy Michaelsen ASLA of the Berger Partnership.

The program was sponsored by: Buoyant Design, DCI Engineers, Foster Pepper, Lane Powell, Schuchart/Dow, Swenson Say Fagét, ABKJ Inc., BetterBricks, Charter Construction, Clothier & Head, Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Hoffman Construction Company, Inn at the Market, Kibble & Prentice, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, McKinstry, Nucor Steel, PCS Structural Solutions, Pro Image Photography, Shannon & Wilson, Inc., Site Workshop, SSA Acoustics, LLP, Stantec, Turner Construction Company, WSP Flack + Kurtz. In-kind contributors include: Coalesse, Driscoll Robins, Sellen, and NAC|Architecture.

About the AIA Seattle Honor Awards on Washington Architecture
This year marks the 61st year of the AIA Seattle Honor Awards for Washington Architecture. This program is a critical dialogue on architecture and specific projects are honored. The Honor Awards solicits entries from around the state and a distinguished jury (usually from beyond Washington) makes their selections based on their own criteria. Each project team must include an architect licensed in Washington State, but the projects themselves do not necessarily have to be in Washington. Projects are awarded in general categories of Honor, Merit, Commendation, and Citation. Winning projects are first announced at the live Awards presentation. All projects submitted are available to view online.