Mission Statement
To celebrate and promote the profession of architecture, provide opportunities for professional growth, and improve the built environment.

Contact Us:
Corda Murphy
Executive Director
AIA Northeast Illinois
412 Green Valley Drive
Naperville, Illinois 60540
Phone: 630-527-8550
Fax: 630-357-4818
Email: exec@aianei.org

2005 Honor Award Winners

Six new or renovated buildings in the Chicago area have been recognized for their architectural excellence. All received coveted Honor Awards in November from AIA Northeast Illinois.

The Honor Awards are the profession’s highest recognition of works that exemplify excellence in architecture, interior architecture and urban design. Two buildings were cited for design excellence, while four projects received awards for merit in architecture.

The biennial awards were part of the chapter’s Celebrate Architecture observance in November. The honors are given to recognize the abilities of chapter members and proclaim that “architecture can be the most significant form of art that enhances the quality of our lives.”

The six winners were selected from 37 nominees in one of five categories: Distinguished Building; Preservations/Adaptive Reuse; Residential; Interiors; and Divine Details/Architectural Ideas. Five winners were nominated in the Distinguished Building category while one was nominated in the Preservations/Adaptive Reuse category.

Excellence in Architecture Winners

The buildings cited for design excellence are:

The Niles Police Station in Niles, designed by PSA-Dewberry of Naperville, Ragnar Benson Construction, contractor. Niles officials wanted the building, which replaced a 40-year-old outdated facility, to be considered friendly and accessible to the public, and reflect the official police motto, “protect and serve.”

Broadview Missionary Baptist Church in Broadview, designed by Harding Partners of Chicago, George Sollitt Construction Co., contractor. The new 80,265-square-foot church, built on a limited budget, emphasizes community for the African-American congregation and reflects the pastor’s vision of that congregation gathered for worship within a dome structure. The church has seen a major increase in membership and attendance since the building opened in 2004.

Merit in Architecture Winners

Four projects received merit in architecture honors:

Adams Central Elementary School in Monroe, Ind, designed by Harding Partners, Chicago, Michael Kinder and Sons, contractor. A tight budget mandated a low per-square-foot cost for this school expansion project. Harding Partners created two pavilions projecting from the classroom wing to form the entrance and library, with the entry pavilion housing public areas. The new wing’s L-shaped design created a protected outdoor playground. 

Altgeld Hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, designed by Burnidge Cassell Associates, Elgin; Vacala Construction, Inc., contractor. The most formidable challenge in renovating Northern Illinois University’s most prominent architectural structure was to preserve an historic landmark while creating useful modern space. Obstacles included asbestos, air handling systems and lack of connecting interior spaces. The 6-year project ended with a rededication in October 2004. “This is a beautiful job of joining the existing building with the new additions,” said architect Thomas Meyer, AIA, jury chair. 

The Itasca Village Hall in Itasc, designed by FGM Architects Engineers, Oak Brook. International Contractors was contractor. The new municipal center consists of a village hall and police station, and is located adjacent to the village’s Nature Center. FGM’s challenge was to integrate the design of the new building with the existing Nature Center and wetland environments. The use of stone, brick and wood complements the building’s natural surroundings.

Prairie Oak Elementary School in Berwyn, designed by FGM Architects Engineers, Oak Brook, Viking Construction Management, contractor. FGM designed this new elementary school to reflect its mature residential surroundings, with the classroom block aligning with neighborhood homes and “front porch” elements of the library, administration and entry softening the bulk of the building behind it.

“The buildings nominated showcase a range of styles and a wide variety of project types,” said Mike Elliott, AIA, Honor Awards Committee co-chair.

“They really are representative not only of the work of our membership but also of the structures in which people live and work and play everyday.”

The Honor Awards Committee selected three accomplished members of AIA Minneapolis to serve as jurors: Meyer, Dale Mulfinger, FAIA and Janis LaDouceur, AIA.

2008 AIA NEI Sponsors

Platinum
AMSCO Engineering
M.G. Welbel & Assoc.

Gold
Berg Engineering Consultants, Ltd.

Silver
20/10 Engineering Group, LLC
AVI Midwest
Degler Design, Inc.
Design Perspectives
Drucker Zajdel Structural Engineers
ECS Illinois, LLC
Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd.
Euclid Insurance
Illinois Brick Company
R. I. Johnson & Associates
Northfield Block Co.
W.B. Olson, Inc
Ragnar Benson Construction, LLC
The George Sollitt Construction Co.
W-T Engineering

Contributor
Aerotek Architecture & Engineering
Aucutts - A Robinson Brick Co.
Building Stone Products
City Five Development
Clay Products
McCluskey Engineering Corp.
Metro Design Associates, Inc.
RAMM Brick & Supply

We extend a special “Thank you!” to our new and returning 2008 sponsors. Sponsors enable AIA Northeast Illinois to provide many of the programs and events that are held during the year. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call the chapter office at 630/527-8550.