In April, The American Institute of Architects announced nine projects honored in this year's Education Facility Design Awards, including four Awards of Excellence and five Awards of Merit. Eligible projects represent various learning institutions from the early childhood level through higher education, as well as specialized training centers and non-traditional learning facilities including community centers, interpretive centers, libraries, museums, and nature centers. The 2019 award winners are located in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Canada.

This year's jury comprised Michael Nieminen, FAIA, partner at New York–based Kliment Halsband Architects; Meriyati Johari Blackwell, AIA, principal at Fayetteville, Ark.–based Marlon Blackwell Architects; Jason Forney, AIA, principal Boston-based Bruner/Cott and Associates; Kim Tanzer, FAIA, University of Virginia professor emerita now based in Gainesville, Fla.; and JoAnn Hindmarsh Wilcox, AIA, principal at Seattle-based Mahlum Architects.

Award of Excellence

Ryan Rhea

Project: Crosstown High School, Memphis, Tenn.
Firm: ANF Architects

Nic Lehoux

Project: Daniels Building at One Spadina, the University of Toronto, Toronto
Firm: NADAAA, with associate architect Adamson Associates Architects and heritage consultant ERA Architects

Courtyard play area outside younger children’s classrooms, looking south.
Albert Vecerka/Esto Courtyard play area outside younger children’s classrooms, looking south.

Project: Magnolia Montessori For All, Austin, Texas
Firm: Page

Bruce Damonte

Project: San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco
Firm: Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Award of Merit

New west entrance, with landscaped plaza
Albert Vecerka/Esto New west entrance, with landscaped plaza

Project: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, N.Y.
Firm: Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism

Courtesy John Ronan Architects

Project: Illinois Institute of Technology Innovation Center, Chicago
Firm: John Ronan Architects

Courtesy Wilson HGA

Project: MIT.Nano, Cambridge, Mass.
Firm: Wilson HGA

Rutgers Nursing and Science Building Location: Camden, New Jersey, Architect: Perkins Eastman
Jeff Goldberg/ESTO / Courtesy Perkins Eastman Rutgers Nursing and Science Building Location: Camden, New Jersey, Architect: Perkins Eastman

Project: Rutgers University-Camden Nursing Science Building, Camden, N.J.
Firm: Perkins Eastman, with associate architect Nelson Architects

Shai Gil

Project: University of British Columbia Aquatic Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
Firm: MJMA and Acton Ostry Architects

Visit ARCHITECT's Project Gallery to for more information about this year's, and past years', AIA Education Facility Design Award–winning projects.