AIA Ohio Announces 2017 Design Award Winners

The AIA Ohio Design Awards promote projects that have distinguished themselves through attention to high quality design, performance and commitment to AIA’s 10 principles of livable communities—designs on a human scale, preserves urban centers,  builds vibrant public spaces, and protects environmental resources, to name a few. This year, out of 85 entries, 8 projects were presented with design awards, having been evaluated based on the aesthetic, functional, contextual and social characteristics of the design by a jury chaired by Peter Bohlin of the firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. 

Presented at a ceremony of over 350 people at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Indianapolis last month, the 2017 Design Awards Winners are as follows:

↑ Honor Award: Whitehall Branch Library for Columbus Metropolitan Library. Designed by Jonathan Barnes Architecture and Design, Columbus.

Jury Comments: The economy of the simple rectangular plan and massing belies the spatial richness of the interior of this branch library. The directness and legibility of the adjacencies and circulation creates a neighborhood where the program and each place has its own identity and connection to the outdoors.

↑ Honor Award: Wilson Road Trailhead for Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Designed by WSA Studio, Columbus. 

Jury Comments: The jury appreciated the bold, primary elements of the design. A compact material palette and gestural composition have created not only a spot of repose along a route, but a destination and gathering place.

↑ Merit Award: Margaret M. Walter Wing Addition for Columbus Museum of Art. Designed by DesignGroup, Columbus.

Jury Comments: As an experience moving into and through a building, the design weaves a thread of passage through old and new; from the entry plaza through to the sculpture garden with option for exploration of the museum off of that orienting experience.

↑ Merit Award: Deane's House, Cleveland for Deane Malaker. Designed by Horton Harper Architects, Cleveland. 

Jury Comments: The jury appreciated the bold, architectural response to the unusual site circumstances. The projects unconventional form is compelling and directly reflects the clients program. It is obvious that care was taken in the detailing of the steel skin, elevating this modest materials. 

↑ Merit: Hawken School, Stirn Hall, Gates Mills Ohio for Hawken School. Designed by DLR Group | Westlake Reed Leskosky, Cleveland.

Jury Comments: The use of simple agrarian forms is a contextually rich response to this site. The manipulation of those forms into welcoming and sizable light-filled interior spaces that reflect the institution; educational mission was appreciated by the jury.

↑ Merit Award for Interior Projects: Dealer Tire, Cleveland for Dealer Tire. Designed by Vocon, Cleveland. 

Jury Comments: The jury appreciated the bold, architectural response to the unusual site circumstances. The projects unconventional form is compelling and directly reflects the clients program. It is obvious that care was taken in the detailing of the steel skin, elevating this modest materials. 

↑ Merit Award for Unbuilt Projects: DCC for Disciples Christian Church - Trustees. Designed by JKURTZ Architects, Cleveland.

Jury Comments: The interior and exterior spaces formed by the massing of this chapel are quite rich. There is a great diurnal rhythm here through the manipulation of the light that addresses the visitors interior experience in the daytime while creating a draw and subtly welcoming street presence at night.

↑ Merit: University of Cincinnati Scioto Hall for University of Cincinnati. Designed by Richard Fleischman + Partners Architects Inc., Cleveland. 

Jury Comments: We appreciated the way the design team gave new life to this building. The simple and economical strategies are effective in yielding more gracious interior and exterior strategies.