News AIA New Orleans announces recipients of the 2008 Design Awards
The New Orleans chapter of the American Institute of Architects has announced the recipients of the 2008 Design Awards. Another record breaking year for entries, eight were chosen out of over seventy to receive awards of honor and merit.
This year’s awards theme of ‘Architecture Matters’ reflects AIA New Orleans’ aim to continue raising awareness of why architecture matters. “It is clear that it takes the efforts of not only great designers and their teams, but that of great civic leaders, business leaders, and a myriad of individuals working in harmony to achieve important works of architecture. When done well, the result is a sustainable, beautiful, working, healthy built environment that serves the people and planet in which we live,” said AIA New Orleans Executive Director, Melissa Urcan.
The awards were presided over by AIA New Orleans President Richard Fullerton, AIA, Design Awards Chair Angela O’Byrne, AIA, and featured several prominent keynote speakers including Dawn Romero Watson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
Secretary Dawn Watson praised the architecture community for its key role in the rebuilding process: “Good architecture is very important to this city. Not only does it communicate prosperity and a progressive attitude to the rest of the nation, it also reflects the strength and willingness of the New Orleans’ community to overcome the hurdles left in the aftermath of Katrina.” She also commended AIA New Orleans as “a body of forward-thinking individuals who have continued to ensure that the integrity of New Orleans’ precious architectural heritage is not lost.”
AIA New Orleans President Richard Fullerton, AIA said, “The amount of entries we received this year was overwhelming. I think it sends an important message to the people of New Orleans that our members are committed to the rebuilding and restoration of this great city.” “This year we feel very fortunate to have such prestigious members on our jury board,” said Richard Fullerton, AIA. This year’s jury was comprised of three internationally recognized architects: Sylvia Lavin, AIA, Professor of Architectural History and Theory at UCLA; Eric Owen Moss, FAIA, Eric Owen Moss Architects; and Peter Zellner, Associate AIA.
Awards of Honor
1) Master Planning and Urban Design
Award of Honor: Reinventing the Crescent
New Orleans, LA
Eskew+Dumez+Ripple
New Orleans has long been dependent on its majestic river. The banks of the Mississippi have served many purposes throughout the city’s rich history. This project proposes a plan to redevelop six miles along the Mississippi River, from Jackson Ave. to the Holy Cross levee.
2) Architecture Award of Honor: The Rebuild Center
New Orleans, LA
Wayne Troyer Architecture
With an outreach objective to serve 250 to 300 people per day, this facility is a social service and recovery center for the growing transient population of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
3) Residential Award of Honor: Lowerline Street Residence
New Orleans, LA
Bild Design - Byron Mouton (TSA ‘89)
Aiming at introducing a progressive affordable housing type to an urban perimeter zone of New Orleans, this newly constructed, two-family prototype capitalizes on vertical development to gain living space and an extended view to the Mississippi River.
4) Projects Award of Honor: Make It Right Foundation
New Orleans, LA
Eskew+Dumez+Ripple
New Orleans’ current housing crisis has created the need for both cost-effective and sustainable living. With its low construction costs, this highly energy efficient design plans to accommodate New Orleans’ low-income residents with affordable housing.
Awards of Merit
1) Historic Preservation/ Restoration/ Rehabilitation Award of Merit:
The Hammond Train Depot Restorations
Hammond, LA
Holly and Smith Architects, APAC
Upon receiving a donation, the Hammond Chamber of Commerce commissioned the complete restoration of the historical train depot, built in 1912. The project involved the restoration of the exterior facade and adaptive reuse of the interiors.
2) Interior Architecture Award of Merit: Gallery Bienvenu
New Orleans, LA
Ledbetter Fullerton Architects
This project aimed to renovate an outdated art gallery to better accommodate exhibits of large scale paintings and sculpture along with a new demand for multi-media installations.
3) Architecture Award of Merit:
L.I.T.E. (Louisiana Immersive Technology Enterprise)
Lafayette, LA
Eskew+Dumez+Ripple / Guidry Beazley Architects, a Joint Venture
A cooperative endeavor between the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) and the University of Louisiana Lafayette, the Louisiana Immersive Technology Enterprise resulted in this 62,000 sq. ft. technology center. This center will provide unprecedented research and development opportunities utilizing computer visualization technologies for a wide range of potential clients.
4) Projects Award of Merit: NOLA Shotgun LOFThouse
New Orleans, LA
Wayne Troyer Architect
The NOLA Shotgun LOFThouse reinvents a Louisiana time-proven typology with an affordable, sustainable and innovative new prototype rooted on the landscape.
03.18.08