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2009 Design Award Winners

Design matters. Quality design enhances function, impacts the senses, creates an inviting atmosphere.

Nine new or renovated buildings designed by Chicago-area architects have been recognized for their design excellence, receiving Design Awards from the Northeast Illinois chapter of The American Institute of Architects.

The biennial awards are the chapter’s highest acknowledgement of works that exemplify excellence in architecture.

The 2009 Design Awards competition includes two categories: Built Design, recognizing design excellence in recently built projects, and Un-Built Design, for projects that have gone through design phases but are not yet constructed. This year, jurors also bestowed a Green Design Award for excellence in environmentally friendly design. The awards were selected from among nearly 50 entries.

Design of Excellence Award
The Mumford Hall conversionin Chicago -- transforming a dormitory with dining room into an open, communal center for the Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training -- received the Design of Excellence Award. Working with a modest budget, Harding Partners of Chicago used light, color and structure to create a building that’s environmentally sensitive and  functional, plus cost-effective to operate.

“The Mumford Hall Conversion received our top award, as overall best project,” said Mike Elliott, AIA, chair of the 2009 Design Awards Committee. “Our jury wrote, ‘It’s clearly a comfortable space. I want to be there.’ “ The jury found the addition “enhances the original, seamlessly adding a contemporary feel to it.” W.B. Olson of Northbrook was the contractor.

Built Design Awards
FGM Architects Inc. of Oak Brook received five awards.
Two elementary schools in Geneva School District No. 304, Fabyan and Williamsburg Elementary schools, were recognized. Fabyen Elementory School, set in a residential neighborhood, uses a neighborhood school concept. Angling and a steeply sloped roof added interior light and reduced the building’s width.

The jury found the project “especially well-done and well-resolved in its approach to breaking down scale,” plus liked how each cluster receives its own light. “Nicely done,” said jurors. Bovis Lend Lease, Inc., of Chicago was general contractor.

Williamsburg Elementary School, a “student street” leads to the academic wings, opposite the spaces for art, media and music. The entire building is filled with natural light. Outside are mature trees and native landscaping, plus biking/walking paths permitting access to surrounding neighborhoods.

Jurors called the project “well done and planned.” They liked the massing, how the school was situated in terms of the street and residential sides, and the abundant natural light. They also loved that play areas are open to the community. “Talk about a good neighbor!” jurors said. Bovis Lend Lease, Inc., was general contractor.

Holy Family Ministries Center in Chicago serves as a school and community facility and supports the surrounding area’s varied needs. Red, charcoal and cream colored block layers were inspired by African textiles and neighboring buildings. The building includes a large gathering space that not only hosts weekly all-school chapel meetings, but also serves as cafeteria and gym.

Jurors commended the use of color, materials and massing, and the recall of African textiles, calling the project welcoming and playful, yet still very disciplined. “It’s a well-articulated simple box, with an efficient use of volume,” jurors said, adding, “Shows how much you can do with a simple plan.” W.B. Olson was general contractor.

Northwestern University’s School of Communication on the Evanston campus needed space for graduate students to gather and study, but thought a location in a drab, unfinished basement undesirable. FGM Architects created an industrial, contemporary environment with conference rooms separated by opaque glass doors and windows from open lounge spaces; private study stations; 200 mailboxes and lockers; and a kitchenette and workroom.

Jurors called the resulting Searle Graduate Student Center a well-done, efficient interiors project for a difficult space. The design provides order and structure, so that all spaces are usable, while color and light create a sense of ease and effort. “There’s lots of spatial variety, but it’s not chaotic,” the jury said. W.B. Olson was general contractor.

Hickory Creek Middle School gave the Frankfort School District its first opportunity to incorporate the “school within a school” philosophy into the district’s curriculum. One section includes the cafetorium, music spaces, library, gym and administration sections. A parallel, secondary spine contains three grade-level “schools,” separated by courtyards. The school also includes many sustainable features.

FGM Architects created an interesting strong organization and a coherent, cohesive plan, jurors said. They liked the use of high clerestory windows in the gym to allow for natural light, which isn’t often seen, they said. International Contractors, Inc., of Elmhurst was contractor.

David F. Schultz Associates, Ltd., of Barrington, was honored for the multi-level addition to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Dundee. The firm’s challenges: build on the existing, limited site; integrate the addition with the historic building’s detailing; provide for the church’s space needs; and make the imposing structure both open and inviting.

The jury commended the lack of mimicry or replication. “(The addition) completes the church and celebrates the old wall. It is a respectful, engaged renovation that was well-planned.” Elgin-based Shales McNutt Construction, Inc., was general contractor.

Unbuilt Design Award
In the Unbuilt Design category, jurors recognized Harding Partners of Chicago for  Mount Vernon Baptist Church, also in Chicago. The design provides state-of-the-art worship facilities and a community center, wrapped around a courtyard. The campus includes a sanctuary; television studio; offices; bookstore; gym; classrooms; daycare center; credit union; multipurpose hall and training rooms. 

Jurors liked the multi-use functionality, though cautioned that sunlight control could be an issue. “It’s a nice project: it looks forward, yet is of our time and is a wonderful urban response,” they said.

Green Design Award
Devon Bank in Wheeling received the 2009 Green Design Award. The bank, designed by Cordogan Clark & Associates of Aurora and Chicago, is designed to meet Gold LEED standards. The exterior incorporates a Kawneer curtain wall system with sun-shading devices that improve daylighting while reducing glare and solar heat gain. The roof has solar collectors, a white PVC membrane, plus a planted surface for passive cooling, insulation and stormwater retention. Nearby wind spires generate additional energy. Other green features include energy-efficient mechanical systems, plus bicycle parking and preferred parking for alternative-fueled vehicles.

Jurors applauded the bank for the comprehensive nature of the environmentally friendly design, as well as for showcasing sustainable practices. ATMI Design Build of Aurora was general contractor.

The 2009 jury for the awards consisted of: Anko Chen, AIA, lead design architect for HNTB Corp., in the area of high-speed rail station design, in California; Carol Shen, FAIA, owner of Carol Shen, Architect/Consultant in Piedmont, Calif.; and Robert Swatt, FAIA, of Swatt/Miers Architects in Emeryville, Calif.      

The chapter made many changes to the Design Award celebration since the 2007 event, most notably paring the categories to two and providing for a “green design” winner when warranted.

“We had a lot of success with the changes we made,” Elliott said. “We think it led to great participation this year.”

He thanked the committee for making the Celebrate Architecture event possible. Other members include Tom Jaeger, AIA; Leanne Meyer-Smith, AIA; Steve Mihelich, AIA; Bill Templin, AIA; and Corda Murphy, AIA Northeast Illinois executive director. “We couldn’t do it without you,” Elliott said.

The Naperville-based chapter includes architects and those in related fields who live or work in Kane, DuPage and Kendall counties, plus the portions of Cook County north of the Stevenson and west of the Edens expressways, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit www.aianei.org.


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