The AIA Kentucky chapter revealed the winners of its annual Design Excellence Awards. A five-person jury selected the engaging designs based on sustainability, accessibility, harmony within its environment, and how effectively each project tackled the social concerns of the profession. Each building was also judged according to the AIA Communities by Design's 10 Principles for Livable Communities, an initiative built on the following canons: Design on a Human Scale, Preserve Urban Centers, Protect Environmental Resources, Build Vibrant Public Spaces, and more.

The jury for the 2015 AIA Kentucky Design Awards included: Annie Chu, AIA (Chair), founding principal at CHU+GOODING Architects; Greg Verabian, AIA, principal at Johnson Fain; Sarah Lorenzen, AIA, resident director of Neutra VDL House; Takashi Yanai, AIA, partner in charge of the residential studio at Ehrlich Architects; and Wendy Gilmartin, AIA, partner at Frohn&Rojas.

To view more about each of the winning projects, click on the project name to jump to ARCHITECT's Project Gallery.

Honor Awards

New Construction, greater than $5 million:

Lara Swimmer Photography

Louisville Free Public Library ,Louisville, Ky., by MSR (Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle)

Additions/Renovations/Restoration, less than $5 million:

AIA Kentucky

Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Horticulture Center, Crestwood, Ky., by De Leon & Primmer Architecture Workshop

Additions/Renovations/Restoration, greater than $5 million:

courtesy AIA Kentucky

University of Kentucky School of Art and Visual Studies, Lexington, Ky., by Omni Architects and JRA Architects.

Merit Awards

New Construction, less than $5 million:

TEG Architects

Big Four Station Park, Jeffersonville, Ind., by TEG Architects

New Construction, greater than $15 million:

courtesy AIA Kentucky

University of Louisville Recreation and Wellness Facility, Louisville, Ky., by Omni Architects and Cannon Design.

Additions/Renovations/Restoration, less than $5 million:

courtesy AIA Kentucky

Green Residence, Louisville, Ky., by De Leon & Primmer Architecture Workshop

Additions/Renovations/Restoration, greater than $5 million:

AIA Kentucky

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mullins Complex, Louisville, Ky., by Michael Winstanley Architects and Planners

Small Project Award:

Architectural Artisans/ AIA Kentucky

Gavin Memorial Garden and Guest House, Louisville, Ky., Architectural Artisans