AIA Southwest Michigan Recognizes Four Firms at Its 2009 Design Awards

Kalamazoo, MI, December 17, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Southwest Michigan recognized three architecture firms at its 2009 Design Awards.

The event, which showcases the talents of southwest Michigan’s top architectural design firms, honored TowerPinkster with the organization’s highest accolade given for excellence, the Honor Award. Diekema Hamann Architecture was recognized with Merit Awards for two projects, along with Allegretti Architects, Inc.

The design awards program encourages AIA members to strive for design excellence in a wide variety of building types, and offers an opportunity to share thoughts and celebrate the value of architecture within our communities. It is the mission of AIA Southwest Michigan to assist the professional architectural community in achieving the highest level of practice possible and to strive for creative solutions to new commissions.

Twenty-one projects were submitted by area architecture firms under three categories: New Construction, Renovation and Un-Built Projects. The projects ranged from a 1,600 square foot loft office space renovation to a 67,000 square foot ophthalmology facility. All projects were judged based on their individual merits and how the project provided a solution to the problems presented and its worthiness for an award for excellence in design. Jurors from the AIA Springfield Missouri Chapter reviewed the submissions and bestowed awards.

TowerPinkster, which has offices in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, earned its Honor Award for the design of Linden Grove Middle School in Kalamazoo.

Diekema Hamann Architecture received the first of two Merit Awards in the New Construction category for the design of the Bronson Advanced Radiology Services New Imaging Facility in downtown Kalamazoo. The firm, which is based in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, captured its second Merit Award in the Un-Built Project category with its design of the Proton Bean Therapy Building, which will be developed in an undisclosed location in the United States.

St. Joseph, Mich.-based Allegretti Architects’ efforts on a private residence in Saugatuk, Michigan helped the firm earn its recognition.

The mission of AIA Southwest Michigan and AIA Michigan is to serve its membership, advance the values of the profession and improve the quality of the built environment. For more information on The American Institute of Architects Michigan and AIA Southwest Michigan, visit www.aiami.com.

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