The Columbus AIA hosted its annual awards reception and presentation tonight at Strongwater to recognize design work completed by local architectural firms. The recipients included two Honor Awards presented to the John R. Maloney Family Health and Wellness Center and the Hopkins Hall Renovations at OSU, as well as four Merit Awards presented to the Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Nature Center, the Covington Branch Addition and Renovation (Covington, Kentucky), Willow Theatre (Cardiff, Wales) and The Driving Park Branch Library.
The Hopkins Hall renovation project (pictured up top) was designed by Braun & Steidl Architects, and built for the Ohio State University. The original building was constructed in 1960 and redeveloped to create modern and efficient studio spaces for art classes and administrative offices. Jurors noted that “this is exactly what architects should be doing, taking these horribly performing buildings and not just replacing windows but improving the composition.”
The 21,500-square-foot Maloney Family Health and Wellness Center was designed by DesignGroup, and constructed on South Parsons Avenue in 2013. Jurors mentioned that the design was noteworthy say that it was “…one of the most consistent projects in terms of plan clarity, economy, and restraint, using modest moves to achieve maximum impact.”
The Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Nature Center was also designed by DesignGroup, and completed for the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. The 14,000 square foot visitors center serves as an educational facility with interactive exhibits and a 53-foot-long living stream inside the building. The jury team noted that the design is “… one of the most thoughtful projects in terms of considering the choreography of movement through the site, especially the approach to the building with the bermed landscape entry path and the porch framing the meadow beyond.”
The Covington Branch Addition and Renovation is another design from DesignGroup, created for the Kenton County Public Library in northern Kentucky. The original 1970s-era building was modernized and expanded, and jurors noted that it was “… one of several projects that attempt to both alter an existing outdated program, as well as re-brand a tired community institution.”
The Willow Theatre was a temporary structure designed by Tim Lai ArchtecT that was erected at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, Wales during the school’s international festival of theatre, opera, and dance. The design was created with a tight budget, a temporary display, and a goal of sustainability once removed. Jurors noted that “the references to the fleece wrapper and the willow tree effectively instill a playfulness to the skin of the structure and suggest a cloud-like transition between inside and out.“
The new Driving Park Branch Library was completed this summer and designed by NBBJ. The new 15,000 squre foot branch was the first major overhaul in 25 years with many other similar projects following behind it. Jurors noted that the design is “… fun, almost optimistic building in a somewhat tough neighborhood. The connection to the outside is nice, a lot of light on the inside.”
For more information about AIA Columbus, visit www.aiacolumbus.org.