More AIA Award Winners

Continuing this year's list of AIA award winners: Tower House, Chicago Frederick Phillips and Associates, Chicago The 1,200 square-foot Tower House was built on a small, irregular lot on the edge of Chicago’s notorious Cabrini Green neighborhood. Inspired by a comprehensive view of Chicago’s skyline, the house is vertically inverted; with the principal outdoor space occupying a fourth-level roof terrace; the living, dining, and kitchen spaces on the third level; and bedrooms on the second. The first level provides space for parking and covered access to the front door at the base of the concrete block tower which houses the main staircase. “We liked the efficient use of small square footage, and the stairwell is dynamic and solid compared to the framework,” the jury reported. Multifamily Housing Low and high-density projects for both public and private clients were considered for this award category. In addition to architectural design features, the jury evaluated the contextual integration of buildings in their environment, transportation options, and utilization of open recreational space. Live/Work Artists’ Housing, Mount Rainier, Maryland Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc. The artist live/work housing project is the first phase in a master plan to create affordable housing and arts oriented venues and services to draw artists from local colleges and neighborhoods to an arts district. Eighteen unit types recognize individuals and families with adaptable layouts that maximize flexible open space and allow for living changes, work, and exhibit needs. Two-story central commons areas provide space for exhibits. A large workshop is provided on the lower level with access to the outside. A colorful exterior attempts to knit together the appearance of the historic neighborhood while reflecting the diversity of the inhabitants and their work. ‘This was a good active urban project that we’d like to see more of. It represented an involved community process and was affordable too,” enthused the jury. Metro Hollywood Mixed-Use, Los Angeles Kanner Architects, Santa Monica, Calif. The Metro Hollywood Mixed-Use, a refreshingly attractive low-income housing development, was designed to be a prototype with environmental, social, and esthetic benefits. The project contains 60 units situated above retail space, a child care center, and a subway station. The building exceeds state energy efficiency codes and the design integrates the project with the neighborhood by lining up the project’s large courtyard with the existing courtyard of an adjacent housing project, and by creating a greater open space between the two. Its uplifting and colorful façade matches that of the subway station below. Jury members admired the benefits of this project saying it is “lively, sustainable and a great example of being active and playful!” K Lofts, San Diego Jonathan Segal, FAIA, San Diego The K Lofts were designed with participation of residents, community stakeholders, local government officials and civic groups. The resulting building provides private and public spaces that promote social interaction and shared use of space, is affordable (with no government subsidy) and sustainable and serves as an example of adaptive reuse. A former convenience store and gas station were saved and integrated into the new design, minimizing deconstruction. The project also provides 50 percent renewable electricity. “Elegant! The design looks like a Mondrian painting,” the jury raved. “The elevations go together in an unusual way.” University of Washington- Nordheim Court, Seattle Mithun, Seattle Working with the staff, faculty and students, on a budget of $85.00 per square-foot, the integrated design team created a student village with townhouses above apartments and an underground parking garage, while preserving a pond, incorporating common greens, and achieving LEED certification.

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