AIA Huron Valley Announces 2009 Honor Awards Recipients

Ann Arbor, MI, November 12, 2009 --(PR.com)-- As part of its commitment to advancing the contemporary understanding of architecture, the Huron Valley chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Huron Valley) announced the recipients of its 2009 Honor Awards Program at its recent annual awards ceremony at the University of Michigan’s Union.

Twenty-four projects, designed by registered architects practicing in the Huron Valley Chapter area (Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw Counties), were submitted for consideration by an independent jury. Seven of the projects were selected by the jury to receive a merit-based Honor Award for the demonstration of skill and sensitivity in the resolution of aesthetic, functional and technical requirements and/or the advancement of the contemporary understanding of architecture. All submissions will be exhibited at several locations throughout the year, starting with the Ypsilanti District Library Whittaker Road branch for the month of November. It will then move to the Ann Arbor District Library Malletts Creek branch for the month of December. Additionally, awards for an Emerging Architect Award, Distinguished Community Service, 20-Year Plus Recognition, and Firm Achievement were presented.

The 2009 AIA Huron Valley Honor Award recipients are:

Building category: Lord Aeck & Sargent, Inc.., of Ann Arbor, won an Honor Award for the 203,000 s.f., $83.5M Margaret M. Alkek Building for Biomedical Research in Houston, Texas, for the Baylor College of Medicine. Contractor: Vaughn Construction.

Sustainability category: Lord Aeck & Sargent, Inc., of Ann Arbor, won an Honor Award for the 15,000 s.f., $4.74M Twin Creeks Science & Education Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, for the National Park Service. Contractor: Hedges Construction.

Interior Architecture category: David Milling Architects, of Ann Arbor, won an Honor Award for the 76,000 s.f., $13.1M Medina County District Library Main Branch in Medina, Ohio. Contractor: The Ruhlin Company.

Interior Architecture category: Hobbs+Black Associates, Inc., of Ann Arbor, won an Honor Award for the 150,000 s.f., $40M Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe, Michigan. Contractor: Contracting Resources, Inc.

Preservation category: Quinn Evans Architects, of Ann Arbor, won an Honor Award for the 45,200 s.f., $1.8M Glazier Building renovation / restoration in Ann Arbor, Michigan for Dahlmann Properties, LTD. Contractor: JC Beal Construction, Inc.

Preservation category: Lord Aeck & Sargent, Inc., of Ann Arbor won an Honor Award for the 36,000 s.f., $6M William W. Cook Legal Library Lighting Improvements Renovation for the University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Contractor: Phoenix Contractors, Inc.

Preservation category: Quinn Evans Architects, of Ann Arbor, won an Honor Award for the 19,430 s.f., $1.4M Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church renovation, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Contractor: JC Beal Construction, Inc.

A Twenty Year Plus Recognition was presented to Cornerstone Design Inc., of Ann Arbor. This Recognition honors an architectural practice, individual or corporate, headed by a chapter member, which as been in business for at least 20 years. Cornerstone Design was founded in 1989, and has designed numerous local buildings, including: McKinley Towne Centre renovation and addition, the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum addition, the Washtenaw County Red Cross Head Quarters, Carrot Way Apartments, and the Chelsea Clock Tower Complex redevelopment.

A Firm Achievement Award was presented to Quinn Evans Architects, of Ann Arbor. This award is presented to a firm which is well known and respected within the architectural community and has clearly demonstrated professional depth, breadth, collaboration or expertise. Quinn Evans Architects was founded in 1984 and has two offices: Ann Arbor and Washington D.C. Past projects include: Hill Auditorium renovation, Michigan State Capitol renovation, and the JFK Center for Performing Arts renovation. Current work includes the Ann Arbor Municipal Center.

The Emerging Architect Award was presented to David Lewis, AIA, of Lewis Greenspoon Architects, of Ann Arbor, for his exceptional accomplishments in and contribution to the profession. This award is given to an architect who has been a member of AIA-Huron Valley for a minimum of three years and a Registered Architect for less than 10 years, or is 40 years old or younger at the time of the award. Lewis founded his architectural firm in 2006, and has since completed work on low-income senior housing and several office build-outs.

The Distinguished Community Service Award was presented to Denis Schmiedeke, AIA, of Ypsilanti. This award honors a chapter member who has performed distinguished and outstanding service to the broader community through involvement in government, volunteer, or service organizations, or who has provided pro-bono architectural services to community organizations. Schmiedeke’s accomplishments include: AIA Huron Valley past president; member of and architectural photographer for the Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation, creator of its Guide to Ypsilanti Historic Architecture; three-term president and 15-year member of the Michigan (Saarinen) Chapter of the national Society of Architectural Historians, creator of the Kiosk newsletter; and member of the Washtenaw County Historic District Commission for twelve years.

For more information, or to obtain additional digital photographs of the projects, please contact David Lewis, AIA at dlewis@lg-architects.com or 734-786-3757.

The American Institute of Architects is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to organize and unite its members and to continuously improve the profession of architecture. The Huron Valley Chapter is comprised of architects in Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw Counties.

The 2009 AIA Huron Valley Honor Awards Program is sponsored by AZ Shmina, Inc., Dunn Blue Reprographics, Motawi Tileworks, and Structural Design Incorporated.

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