AIA UK honors 2016 Excellence in Design Awards winners, pays tribute to Zaha Hadid

The AIA UK chapter recently celebrated the winners of the 2016 Excellence in Design Awards during a festive gala in London's Institute of Contemporary Art. This year, the awards program established three separate categories for Students, Young Architects, and Professionals to balance out the competition and give designers of any experience level a chance to show off their best work. The program is open to architects or designers who are either based in the UK or have built projects in the region, as well as architecture students currently enrolled in UK universities.

During the gala, AIA UK President Frederick Grier paid tribute to the late Zaha Hadid, highlighting her extensive involvement in the awards and other chapter events. Perhaps part of that honorary tribute is the fact that the Zaha Hadid-designed Messner Mountain Museum was deemed the 2016 Professional Winner — and rightfully so.

Following a full day of rigorous deliberation, the jury also decided to award three commendations in the Professional category. One student received the £1,000 Noel Hill Travel Award grant, while one practice was named as the 2016 Young Architect Award winner.

Professional Commendations:

Young Architect Award:

Noel Hill Travel Award winner:

The 2016 jury featured: Armstrong Yakubu, Foster & Partners; Charlotte Skene Catling, Skene Catling de la Pena; Michael Mossessian, Mossessian Architecture; Alex Lifschutz, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands; Amy Frearson, Dezeen; Frederick Grier, UHA London, AIA UK President; and Adrian Evans, Huddersfield University