The Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Detroit) awarded 11 projects by eight Detroit-based architecture firms in this year's 2015 AIA Detroit Honor Awards. Architect Magazine reported that the awards showcased designs in five categories: Building, Interiors, Small Project, Unbuilt, and Urban Design. A few of the Michigan-based firms included Biddison Architecture, Integrated Design Solutions, and Thomas Roberts Architect. Crain's reported that the AIA presented the awards to the winners on September 24 of this year. Below, you will be able to take a look at which projects were showcased in this year's award, the firms that designed the projects, the original blurbs written by AIA Detroit describing each project, and who the jurors were. For information on the four individuals who were awarded for their contributions to Detroit architecture as well as AIA Detroit, be sure to check out Architect Magazine's article here.
Building · Interiors · Small Project
Unbuilt · Urban Design · Meet the Jury
The reuse of the existing structure was sensitively integrated. The sense of restraint with the selection of a minimal palette for interior finishes and its consistency between the interior and exterior palette created an alluring project. It is a highly successful resolution of serene materials and details. - AIA Detroit
Excellent design strategy to access natural daylight. There is clarity in the choice and articulation of the massing, circulation and building materials. This building parti was easily diagrammed. The innovative LED façade is a fun, elegant, and didactic way to tell the story of cutting-edge research inside, resulting in delightful visual impact. - AIA Detroit
This masterfully focused design, with all its energy on one exemplary statement, the entry. Exceptionally detailed, carefully modulated, and well- proportioned, the grand entry captures the clear and clean vocabulary of the renovation and does not overshadow the existing structure. The grand entrance reinforces the spirit of social space in a student setting. - AIA Detroit
A vibrant, welcoming, bold design. The building expresses new technology in an honest and inviting way. Moving through the building, you can experience active learning environments and students engaging and designing. The exterior and interior material selections create a cohesive package, with smaller spaces featuring striking design with strong attention to detail. The willful student-centric building is both rigorous and playful, while carefully contrasting intimate moments with a carefully curated experience. - AIA Detroit
It is a stunning restoration. The painstaking recreation of the architectural metalwork and other historic façade details ensured that no corners were cut. In part it's a technical exercise but it's also a successful civic argument to raise money and make it happen. A delightful example of the resilience of a historic building. - AIA Detroit
Standing apart from the overexposed groupspeak of workplace design, this project makes one of the strongest statements we've seen about the social nature of creative work. Project teams form and reform along a 250-foot long spine that draws everybody in the process together, clients included. This renovation is a strong model to shift the thinking about the innovative workplace into more substantial territory. - AIA Detroit
It's a laudable presentation of the design and fabrication process. It tackled a complex geometry in contrast to the ordinary container. This smaller scale intervention captures the adrenaline rush from an expresso. - AIA Detroit
The design addresses the human capital of a company headquarters. The distinctly unique design was a breath of fresh air which more interior projects could learn from. It promotes an egalitarian environment while cleverly blurring outdoor and indoor spaces. - AIA Detroit
xcellent place for teaching and exhibitions by students and professors. Its multi-purpose use allows it to feel intimate, yet at times as public domain. An inexpensive solution that is bold, simple, and cheerful. It's unapologetic about a minimal budget, showing the true skill of the designer. - AIA Detroit
Remarkably simple but strongly effective. The evocative renderings express a soothing, inviting, welcoming, serene mood. It's an excellent exploration and execution of perimeter spaces, and designing them at different scales so everyone can find their own place. Its relaxed pop-up sensibility creates an informal environment. The café ceiling is cool and hip – more than just a place to sit. - AIA Detroit
It's a perfect balance for a very urban situation: ecology and urban setting. The marketplace and woonerf is a destination, not just a link, which would elevate quickly to a civic landmark. The intersection allows people to experience it as a place. The overall submission was developed to very high level. - AIA Detroit
Projects Completed Include, But Not Limited To:
· Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Main Terminal Renovation, St. Louis, MO
· Research Campus Entry Pavilion, Naperville, IL
· Margaret Chase Smith Federal Courthouse, Bangor, Maine
· Minton-Capehart Federal Building, Indianapolis, Indiana
Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· Distinguished Building Award from AIA Chicago
· Divine Detail Award from AIA Chicago
· Sustainable Design Award from the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
· Green Building of America Award
· Elected to the AIA College of Fellow
· Served as Chairman of the AIA Chicago Design Committee
· Served on the Board of Directors of AIA Chicago and the Chicago Architectural Club
Education:
· Ohio State University
· University of Texas
Projects Completed Include, But Not Limited To:
· Master plan for Pilsen, Chicago, IL
· La Casa Student Housing, Chicago, IL
· Galewood Elementary Charter School, Chicago, IL
Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· AIA Chicago Small Projects Honor Award
· AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award, Citation of Merit
· HACIA's 2009 Project of the Year for the Veteran's Memorial Charter School Campus
· Design Evanston Planning Award for the Evanston Lakefront
· Listed in the "2014: 50 Chicago Designers" by New City
· Listed as one of the five Emerging Designers by Crain's Chicago
· Chaired the National AIA Diversity Committee for the AIA
Education:
· University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Projects Completed Include, But Not Limited To:
· Marwen Expansion, Chicago, IL
· Intrinsic School, Chicago, IL
· University of Chicago Child Development Center – Stony Island, Chicago, IL
· Hansberry College Prep, Chicago, IL
· Wolcott School, Chicago, IL
· Exelon Gymnasium, Chicago, IL
Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· Recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Traveling Fellowship
· CCAIA Young Architect Award
· AIA Fellowship for Design
· Listed as "Chicagoan of the Year" in Architecture by the Chicago Tribune
Education:
· Rhode Island School of Design
[UPDATE 1/5: A previous version of this article described the Michigan Research Studio as being located in Ann Arbor. It is actually in Detroit.]
· 2015 Architectural Honor Award Winners [AIA Detroit]
· AIA Detroit Announces 2015 Honor Award Winners [Architect Magazine]
· 8 architecture firms receive AIA Detroit awards for 11 different projects [Crain's Detroit Business]
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