The Global Winners of the Eighth Annual Design Is… Award

Shaw Contract Group announced on Sept. 6 the Global Winners for their "Design Is..." Award competition. For the past eight years, the "Design Is..." Award honors the architecture and design firms whose projects best exhibit beautiful yet impactful design through innovative solutions and functions.

And competition was stiff indeed. Six projects--all from commercial spaces around the globe--were selected as winners out of 369 submissions from 26 countries.

The winning firms will be recognized in an upcoming advertising campaign in leading industry publications and receive an original award sculpture. Additionally, a $2,000 charitable donation on behalf of each winning firm will be awarded to the program/organization chosen by the firm. Shaw Contract Group will also promote the winners through promotional and marketing materials.

The Jury consisted of five distinguished members from the design community: John Nelson - Founder and Principal of Design, NELSON; Rachel Gutter - Director, Center for Green Schools at U.S. Green Building Council; Erica Steenstra - Interior Design Manager, The Walt Disney Company; Kathy Woo  - Director, Hopping Kovach Grinnell; and Mark Harbick (moderator) - Design Principal, NBBJ.

Check out the winning projects and their descriptions below.

Firm: HNTB Architecture | Kansas City, MO
Project: NNSA National Security Campus | Kansas City, MO

"The design team created a workplace to replace the National Nuclear Security Administration’s outmoded office space and to celebrate collective genius. The project, which anticipates LEED Gold Certification, includes a walking trail, courtyard, fitness center and cafeteria. A white-box aesthetic is accented by walnut paneling and strategically placed color. Interiors also draw inspiration from graphic models used by scientists to visualize their work."

HNTB Architecture - NNSA National Security Campus from Shaw Contract Group on Vimeo.

Firm: ITOKI Corporation | Tokyo, Japan
Project: SYNQA ITOKI Innovation Center | Tokyo, Japan

"With the concept of 'co-creation, open innovation,' the design encourages a lively flow of ideas spread over three floors. The first floor represents the influx of ideas, the second floor expresses the interaction of external wisdom and the third floor reflects the fruition of internal knowledge. The result is a space that communicates the idea that human activities come first."

ITOKI Corporation - SYNQA ITOKI Innovation Center from Shaw Contract Group on Vimeo.

Firm: HDR Architecture | Omaha, NE
Project: Bellevue Medical Center | Bellevue, NE

"Informed by nature and hospitality, the interior is designed to soothe and relax. Carpet patterns are abstracted from the natural environment. Glass along the patient room corridors is etched with a grass motif. Abundant daylight, hotel-like furniture and finishes, textiles with floral motifs, along with soft lighting, make for a comfortable environment designed to meet LEED certification."

HDR Architecture - Bellevue Medical Center from Shaw Contract Group on Vimeo.

Firm: HGA Architects and Engineers | Minneapolis, MN
Project: Macalester College – Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center | St. Paul, MN

"Inspired by village squares, the design uses warm materials, accent lighting and comfortable furniture to invite community. Connected to the Arts Commons, the Concert Hall is surrounded by Red Oak slats in a pattern inspired by polyrhythm and staccato textures. The idea is echoed in the floor finishes, pendant lighting, signage and exterior façade."

HGA Architects and Engineers - Macalester College, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center from Shaw Contract Group on Vimeo.

Firm: AECOM | Los Angeles, CA
Project: Velti Headquarters | San Francisco, CA

"The design redefines the dynamics of the modern workplace with a creative workspace that actually feels like a social network. Carefully attuned circulation, retractable walls, natural light and formal and informal workspaces create a “neighborhood” vibe. Spaces are linked by exposed concrete floors, layered open ceilings, as well as bold graphics and textures."

AECOM - Velti Headquarters from Shaw Contract Group on Vimeo.

Firm: Avola-Llaber Arquitectos | Buenos Aires, Argentina
Project: Red Bull Argentina | San Isidro, Argentina

"The design was inspired by the brand mantra: “Red Bull give you wings.” The space focuses on charged creativity, while encouraging social butterflies – from reception to workstations. A semi-open gallery with sliding doors features brand imagery. Customers can linger in the dining bar or choose to view one of the brand’s own Red Bull Media House films. Avola-Llaber Arquitectos won the People’s Choice Award, which brought in over 900,000 votes."

Avola-Llaber Arquitectos - Red Bull Argentina from Shaw Contract Group on Vimeo.

 

Click here to enter your firm for the 2014 Design Is...Award competition.