The AIA has announced the winners of the 2015 Small Projects Awards. The annual awards program, now in its 12th year, celebrates design excellence from smaller practices and aims to elevate public awareness of the importance of design. This year, the AIA honors seven projects across three categories, including a student project.
The jury for the 2015 Small Project Awards was led by Marc Manack, AIA, of SILO AR+D and included Roy Decker, AIA, of Duval Decker; Susan Jones, FAIA, of Atelier Jones; Ben Schreiter, AIA, of Zwick Construction; and Andrew Wells, FAIA, of Dake|Wells.
More information and images for each project can be found by clicking on the links in the project titles below.
Category 1: A small project construction, object, work of environmental art or architectural design element up to $150,000 in construction cost.
Jury comment: "We love the science and the brainpower it took to get here. Imagine what can be done if this technology is applied to other projects. The research aspect of this is compelling."
Jury comment: "Great analysis and research with extreme attention to detail. The concept is strong and the colored pencils make for a wonderful rainbow for passersby to experience and interact with."
Category 2: A small project construction, up to $1,500,000 in construction cost.
Johnsen Schmaling Architects Jury comment: "The footprint and layout highlight the respect and enjoyment in the surrounding forest. This project succeeds at all levels: strong conceptual approach to the skin, well sited and planned, simple clarity of form, and beautifully executed in the materiality and detailing. It is very well presented including clear plans, models and diagrams - all without cluttering the presentation."
Jury comment: "A great small public project! This project makes a tremendous impact on the urban landscape with very little program and a small budget. It responds well to the site and condition and historical context. The solution is very well communicated in the presentation. The incorporation of public art is a great addition. It succeeds at multiple scales, urban, planning, and detail."
Jury comment: "The presentation and photography is very strong. Simple interventions such as color, furniture and lighting completely transformed the site into one that engages the community and is alive."
Category 3: A small project construction, object, work of environmental art, or architectural design less than 5,000-square-foot constructed by the architect.
Bernheimer Architecture Jury comment: "The combinations of incredible restraint coupled with the bold breaks in the box are so hard to do successfully. The entry move and the skylights are fantastic. The interior is spatially fantastic. The detailing of the edges on the box is just enough to bleed this modernism into its surroundings."
Jury comment: "Fantastic composition and formal study. It is great to see this kind of work in the public realm. A civic icon that should last for generations. [It is] thoughtful in how it recognizes and celebrates the history of steel in the city. The site moves are equally strong, carving into the lawn. It changes the perception of steel as a dirty industrial process to a beautifully inspiring historic structure."
