Designing men and women

The Captiva Guest House restoration designed by architect Joyce Owens. JOCOFI PHOTOGRAHY / COURTESY IMAGE The American Institute of Architects- Florida Southwest Chapter presented its 2011 design awards as part of the chapter’s recent conference at the Hotel Indigo in Fort Myers. The awards honor architectural achievements by AIA-Florida Southwest members and advocates.

The chapter invited Joseph King, AIA, of Bradenton to select a jury outside of Southwest Florida to evaluate the projects submitted and to determine which would be presented with Awards of Excellence in Architecture.

In his comments about the competition, Mr. King wrote:

“We enjoyed seeing the great variety of ideas and intentions expressed and the development of the projects… Our attention was drawn to projects that we felt explored architectural ideas: the work that we and others might learn from, and appreciate over time…

“Our selections tend toward smaller scale projects, each of which appeals to us as uplifting and expressing the visual pleasure of seeing the project, and how we imagine the spatial experience of being there day by day…”

Design awards were presented in three categories: Built Excellence, Unbuilt Design and Architectural Graphics. In addition, AIA Honor Awards and Presidential Awards were also presented. The winners are:

BUILT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

¦ Merit Award – New Work Commercial

Project: E.B. Simmonds Corporate Center, Naples

Firm: Architects Unlimited; Steve Hruby, AIA, LEED AP

Client: Bernie Simmonds

Contractor: DeAngelis Diamond Construction

Jury comments: “We appreciate the clear site strategy and strong imagery created with glass and solid massing at the street/north side of the building. The lobby with its integrated elevator and stair components introduces a dramatic spatial quality and discipline.”

¦ Merit Award – Restorations and Additions

Project: Captiva Guest House, Captiva Island

Architect/Firm: Architecture Joyce Owens LLC

Client: W. and A. Winshall

Contractor: Mark McQuade General Contractor

Jury comments: “This project gave new life to two small, decaying buildings by combining them into an efficient and spatially appealing guest house… The simple materials are handled with purpose and intention in the relaxed island setting.”

¦ Merit Award – Restorations and Additions

Project: Naples Academy of Ballet

Architect/Firm: Architects Unlimited; Steve Hruby, AIA, LEED AP

Client: Toshiko Tompkins

Contractor: The Williams Group

Jury comments: “… This complete transformation of a warehouse makes a welcome contribution to the cityscape.”

¦ Merit Award – Interiors

Project: The Franklin Shops, downtown Fort Myers

Architect: Studio + Architecture; Ted Sottong, AIA | Chris Ressler, Assoc. AIA

Owner: Rene Miville

Contractor: Liberty Coast Construction

Jury comments: “… (an) ambitious, thoughtful and economical approach to designing this retail setting for start-up businesses. It conveys a sense of enthusiasm for creative business ventures and their potential for contributing to downtown community life. The project makes exceptional use of the existing building and spaces.”

UNBUILT DESIGN AWARDS

¦ Honor Award

Project: Ave Maria University Maronite Chapel

Architect: Victor Latavish, AIA

Owner: Ave Maria University

Jury comments: “This project inspires the imagination. At the same time, it is a remarkably well-resolved design, transforming a very specific religious program into an inspiring experience. We would like to see this project fully worked out in construction. The clarity of form, geometry and space, activated by light, illustrates a sure hand in architecture.”

¦ Merit Award

Project: Florida Case Study House

Architect: Architects Unlimited; Tom Jones, Assoc. AIA

Owner: VVV Partnership & Development

Jury comments: “We present this award with the admonition to keep exploring. This is an intense project that grapples with many ideas of sustainability and building performance within a small house. We encourage the next phase, tied to practice, of financial and build ability considerations.”

ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHICS AWARDS

¦ Merit Award

Project: Gordon River Pedestrian Underpass Art Gallery

Project Architect: Brandt Henning, AIA, LEED AP

Firm: PK Studios Inc

Jury comments: “This project’s exceptionally clear presentation illustrates the ability to make design choices about what not to do as much as what to do…”

AIA HONOR AWARDS

¦ W.R. Frizzell Medal of Honor

Joyce Owens AIA, RIBA

Architecture Joyce Owens LLC

The chapter’s highest honor recognizes an individual AIA architect member who has distinguished him/herself in a manner resulting in a profound impact on the profession over a sustained period of time.

¦ Individual Honor Award

Michael Flanders, AIA

Flanders Architecture

This award is given to a licensed architect member of the AIA who represents architects as professionals and architecture as a profession, not as a trade or as an industry.

¦ Allied Member of the Year Honor Award

Workplace: A Herman Miller Dealer, Fort Myers

¦ Builder Award

The Henning Group, Naples

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS

Presented by Scott Anderson, AIA, 2011 chapter president, to:

¦ Charles Sappenfield, FAIA

¦ Barry Fez-Barringten, AIA

¦ Victor Latavish, AIA

About AIA- Florida Southwest: AIA- Florida Southwest serves more than 200 members and the communities of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Collier counties. The mission of the organization is to orchestrate and unite the architects of Southwest Florida to promote the profession; to advance the science and art of planning and building; to coordinate the building industry and architectural firms to ensure the advancement of building standards; and to make the profession of everincreasing service to society. For more information, visit www.aiaflasw.org. ¦