Over the past month, 2.4 million voters weighed in to choose the top 100 buildings in Florida to commemorate the AIA state chapter’s 100-year anniversary. The top five winners were announced at the Morris Lapidus–designed Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel, which took first place in the competition.
The runners-up were as follows:
Second place: Mandi’s Chapel in Live Oak, Fla., designed by John Zona, AIA;
Third place: The Baughman Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., designed by Zona;
Fourth place: The University of North Florida Student Union in Jacksonville, Fla., designed by Rink Design Partnership; and
Fifth place: Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., designed by Marion Sims Wyeth.
AIA Florida’s local chapters nominated the buildings that a panel of architects then narrowed down to a list of the top 100. Voting was open to the public from March 13 through April 6. AIA Florida also recognized the top building in 13 different categories, including performing arts, museum, and residential projects.
"We are elated that so many Floridians took the time to learn about the beautiful structures in their communities," said Donald Yoshino, FAIA, the chairman of AIA Florida's 100th Anniversary Committee.
Other notable nominees to the competition include Disney World’s Cinderella Castle and Jacksonville’s historic Florida Life Building.
