1.10 aiaVT Newsletter

aiaVT annual awards overview

Eleven awards for “Excellence in Architecture” were given at the Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation of The American Institute of Architects/Vermont Chapter.  There were two Honor Awards, four Merit Awards and five Honorable Mentions.  There were ten categories of judging criteria and the Jury, three members of the AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson Chapter, Raymond Beeler, AIA, Michael Gallin, AIA and Erik Kaeyer, AIA, made their choices within these categories.

An exhibition of all these Award Winners as well as the other entries for the AIA Vermont 2009 Design Award Competition will be traveling to various locations in Vermont during 2010.

Honor award: "Public project"

LineSync Architecture of Wilmington was given an Honor Award for “Bank Park” in Wilmington.  The Jury “was unanimous in its praise of this community project and recognized it as one of the best two submitted projects.  The clarity of concept, creation of an inviting outdoor community space and the well engineered solution that salvaged the existing stone embankment wall were roundly applauded.”  The project was in the “Public Project” category.

Honor award: "Small project"

Michael Minadeo + Partners of Burlington won the other Honor Award for a Pool House in Stowe.  The Jury thought that “the pool House project is both beautifully designed and executed.”  “There is a clear concept, refined details and elegant landscaping.”  This project was in the “Small Project” category.

Merit award: “Historic renovation/preservation”

In the “Historic Renovation/Preservation” category, Bread Loaf Corporation of Middlebury was given a Merit Award for the Middlebury Town Hall Theater.  The Jury commented that “the submission material wonderfully depicts the work required to bring this elegant piece of architecture back to its former glory.”Adaptive re-use is often the correct solution for continuing to make historic buildings viable in an ever-changing world.”  “The solution was respectful of the past allowing transition to its new purpose.”

Merit award: "Industrial"

In the “Industrial” category, Centerline Architects and Planners of Bennington were given a Merit Award for the Bennington College “Biomass Steam Generation Facility”.  The Jury “appreciated the effort taken by the architect to transform a utility structure into a piece of architecture that significantly contributed to its campus setting.”  “The project was one of our favorites because it challenged the standard notion of a utility building.”

Merit award: "Recent public project"

In the “Recent Public Project” category, Duncan-Wisniewski Architecture of Burlington was given a Merit Award for the “Plainfield Health Center”.  The Jury “marveled at the transformation of the health Center.  The design team salvaged the best aspects of the original massing and created totally new and remarkable united building with inviting and warm comfortable interiors.”  

Merit award: "Residential"

In the “Residential” category, Truex Cullins was given a Merit Award for a “Private Residence” in Shelburne.  The Jury commended “the refined family retreat for its craftsmanship, use of materials and careful siting.” “The natural lighting abounds in the home and the views and connection to the exterior were appreciated.”

Honorable mentions

Four other projects were given Honorable Mentions in the “Residential” category.  

Birdseye Design of Richmond won for a “Private Residence” in Shelburne.  The Jury “commended the care of exterior detailing, the well intergraded use of metal elements, its architectural crispness as well as the carefully conceived site entrance sequence.”  

Patrick Kane Architect of East Hardwick received one for a “Private Residence” in West Windsor.  The Jury commented that “this house expansion has created a wonderful set of interior and exterior spaces that flow together and acknowledge their natural surroundings.  The addition was thoughtfully placed to take advantage of the views and creatively detailed in natural materials.”  

Pill-Maharam Architects of Shelburne received one for the “Lake Dunmore House”.  The Jury thought that “the scale and material selection right down to the reuse of some of the original finish materials retain the character of a traditional retreat.  The Jury “commended the reuse of elements such as wall paneling and countertops while mixing in some contemporary detailing to ultimately create a warm and inviting core gathering area.”  

Jean Terwilliger Architect of Cornwall also received one for the “Vermont Lake House”.  The Jury “appreciated the playful exterior vernacular design, the interior material experimentation and the fluid spatial relationships.  The result is a fun, comfortable home for a contemporary lifestyle.”

Honorable mention & people's choice

In the “Proposed Project” category, Freeman French Freeman was given an Honorable mention for “The Moran Center on the Waterfront” in Burlington.  “The Jury was unanimous in an interest in seeing this project proceed.”  “An adaptive reuse of the old factory building and campus through a coordinated effort is commendable and could result in a rewarding and exciting product.”

“The Moran Center on The Waterfront” also won the “People’s Choice Award”.

News Item - aiaVT individual awards