U.S. General Services Administration Recognizes the Best in Public Architecture

The United States General Service Administration recently recognized the best in public architecture and civilian federal workplaces at the 2010 GSA Design Awards in Washington, D.C. This year’s 11 award winners showcase the federal government’s commitment to cutting-edge architectural design and its focus on sustainability.

“GSA is working hard to change the look and feel of federal buildings,” said GSA Administrator Martha N. Johnson. “We are making the investments now to save energy and taxpayer money in the future. The winning projects mark not just innovation in design, but also, rapid progress toward our nation’s sustainability goals.”

The biennial GSA Design Awards celebrate the best federal civilian workplaces, including land ports of entry, federal courthouses, and office buildings. The winners are selected by a jury of private sector design and building professionals.

“Through collaboration with some of the best architects and engineers in the country, we are creating a welcoming and sustainable federal presence in communities across the country,” said GSA Commissioner of Public Buildings Robert A. Peck. “GSA’s Design Awards celebrate the energy and creativity of everyone who works tirelessly to deliver the best in public architecture."

The winning projects spanned land ports of entry, courthouses, and office buildings, as well as a parking garage that will sport resin fins and an aluminum screen. They also represent various phases of design and completion. All are characterized by innovative strategies, some of which including geothermal heating and cooling, stormwater management, alternative energy production, and advanced preservation construction techniques.

The recipients of this prestigious award are Julie Snow Architects; Robert Siegel Architects; Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects; Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners; Substance; Gruzen Samton Architects; Jones Studio; Dattner Architects; Richard McElhiney Architects; Schwartz/Silver Architects; Richard Meier & Partners Architects; and artist Alan Michelson.

The 2010 GSA Design Awards was juried by nine highly regarded professionals from the private sector, with New York-based architect Billie Tsien chairing the group. In total, 115 projects were submitted; the jury assessed the success with which GSA projects are incorporating design excellence principles and recommended new benchmarks for the agency to surpass.

These are the 2010 GSA Design Award winners:

U.S. Land Port of Entry, Warroad, Minn. — Architecture and Engineering Honors; Construction, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture Citations
The U.S. Land Port of Entry at Warroad, Minn., includes canopies that protect Customs and Border Protection officers as they perform outdoor inspections. The configuration of structures maximizes sight lines for officers occupying the main interior workspace.   

U.S. Land Port of Entry, Massena, N.Y. — Architecture and Art Citations
Drawing inspiration from transportation signs, the U.S. Land Port of Entry at Massena, N.Y., features large swaths of yellow that guide travelers’ circulation through the site. Buildings are located around significantly improved wetland areas.

U.S. Land Port of Entry, Calais, Maine — Architecture Citation
The U.S. Land Port of Entry at Calais, Maine, is divided into two volumes connected by a passageway, appearing as an inspiring gateway to our nation. The building’s aluminum-mesh outer skin shades interiors and reduces cooling load, and improves surveillance for Customs and Border Protection officers.  

Historic District of Columbia Courthouse — Preservation Citation
The historic District of Columbia courthouse was carefully renovated to become the new District Court of Appeals. The project included the addition of a detachable security pavilion and 42,000 square feet of underground court space, both of which preserving the building’s original architecture.

U.S. Courthouse, Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Preservation Citation
GSA responded rapidly to the 2008 flood that significantly damaged the U.S. Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Within 13 months, crews reinstated power, potable water, and steam, and restored important architectural and interior elements.

Federal Parking Garage, San Juan, Puerto Rico — On-the-Boards Architecture Citation
Vertical fins on the forthcoming federal parking garage in San Juan, Puerto Rico, complement existing 1970s-era buildings, and shield parked cars from the sun. A rooftop photovoltaic array will produce more energy than building operations require.   

U.S. Land Port of Entry, Van Buren, Maine — On-the-Boards Architecture Citation
The landscape of the future U.S. Land Port of Entry at Van Buren, Maine, features a series of low mounds that assist with stormwater management.   

Mariposa Land Port of Entry, Nogales, Arizona — On-the-Boards Communications Citation
Jurors lauded the red-white-and-blue canopy spanning the Mariposa Land Port of Entry outside Nogales, Ariz., as a celebratory statement. The color blocks also will conceal Customs and Border Protection officers surveying the port from an elevated catwalk.

Peter W. Rodino Federal Building Modernization, Newark, N.J. — On-the-Boards Engineering Citation
The Recovery Act-funded modernization of the Peter W. Rodino Federal Office Building in Newark, N.J., employs an extensive range of sustainability technologies. The project’s highlight is the installation of an outer building envelope that will reduce energy consumption 32 percent.

Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building Modernization, Jackson, Miss. — On-the-Boards Urbanism Citation
When completed, the pavilion at the base of the Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building in Jackson, Miss., will consolidate entrances and security procedures, and improve circulation in the interior lobby.

U.S. Courthouse, San Diego — On-the-Boards Urbanism Citation
The soon-to-be-completed U.S. Courthouse in San Diego, California, was sited to provide users and visitors with a large and sunlight-filled public plaza.

See more images of winning projects in the image gallery below: