AIA Kentucky honored nine building projects for excellence in architectural design October 18 during the chapter's annual convention. A jury of AIA Connecticut architects: Chair Herbert S. Newman, FAIA, and Peter Newman, AIA, of Herbert S. Newman & Partners; Fred Clarke, FAIA, Cesar Pelli & Associates; and Jim Childress, FAIA, Centerbrook Architects and Planners LLC, bestowed one Honor Award, four Merit Awards, three Citations, and one Special Award for Residential Planning. All honored projects are found in Kentucky.

Honor Award

Cot House, Warsaw, by Michael Schmitt, Architect, New York City, for Norma Schmitt. The jury called this house in the woods "a simple, elegant structure, true to its form and purpose." They liked its unique form, one that was developed with an economy of material and design. Noting that the house takes "a bold and resolute position on its site," the jury remarked that the project is "harmonious with nature, yet not deferential to it."

Merit Awards

TOMO Restaurant, Lexington, by Guyon Architects Incorporated, Lexington, for Tomo and Cha Tamura. TOMO is a "wonderful piece of theater," said the jury. "One is invited to observe and participate in a Japanese mystery." Seeing the restaurant as a great transformation of the box, they were particularly taken with the "absence of a clear perimeter and ingenious use of direct and reflected light that enhance a sense of wonder."

Montaplast North America Inc. Technical Center, Frankfort, by James N. Gray Company, Lexington, for Montaplast North America Inc. The jury termed this technical center "a wonderful ambassador for its owner-quality architecture representing quality products." They found the exterior to be an interesting Cubist composition expressive of the project's interior volumes and uses. "It is both serious and joyful; it looks like a nice place to work," the jury concluded.

Kentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville, by Bravura Corporation, Louisville, for the Commonwealth of Kentucky/Kentucky Center for the Arts. "Provocative and true to a civic arts building, we appreciate the transformation and new sense of invigoration and joy," said the jury of the Kentucky Center for the Arts renovation. They characterized the project as "an exciting and powerful update in response to deficiencies in circulation and the changing tastes of the theater-going public."

Bland Residence, Fisherville, by Michael Koch and Associates Architects and Planners, Louisville, for David and Ellen Bland. The Bland House is anything but a bland house, the jury concluded, calling the new residence "a brave use of form, color, and material." The jury noted further, "The house unfolds and refolds, compressing and expanding depending on your location. Full of complexity and surprise, we applaud the risks and rewards of this project."

Citations

The Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson Cancer Facility for Women at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, by Omni Architects for the McDowell Foundation/University of Kentucky. The jury found this addition to an existing facility to be "a very thoughtful response." They liked the continuity of form with regard to the existing building, counterpointed with "a strong departure in fenestration and rhythms of the expressed structure." Appropriate to the building's purpose, they concluded, "the interior expresses both energy and calmness."

Lexmark International Ink Jet Box R& D, Lexington, by Hixson Architects Engineers Interiors, Cincinnati, for Lexmark International. "A compelling plan diagram creating neighborhoods for both quiet study and collaborative teamwork" was how the jury described the Lexmark's new R&D facility. Characterizing the facility as upbeat and fun, the jury particularly liked the "wonderful use of color and geometry on the walls, floors, and ceilings to support the idea of creating distinct neighborhoods while simultaneously weaving a unifying thread throughout the entire project."

St. Gabriel the Archangel School, Louisville, by Omni Architects for St. Gabriel the Archangel Church. "A good neighbor" was the jury's characterization of St. Gabriel's, citing the church's "thoughtful use of site topography to minimize the mass of a large addition in a residential neighborhood." They thought the building's unique forms were an appropriate expression of the building's use of technology, science, and learning. "A thought provoking, forward-reaching product with both interior and exterior variety," they concluded.

Special Award for Residential Planning

Wynfield Innovative Subdivision, Louisville, by Potter & Cox Architects, Louisville, for Zorn Cluster Homes. The jury called this high-end housing development a "very thoughtful response to a market-driven building type." They particularly like the clever use of topography and how significant site features "teamed with a great respect and understanding of issues of public and private places in unit planning and community planning combine to make this a project worthy of special note for its planning aspect in particular." The jury pronounced Potter & Cox Architect's effort "a first-rate response executed with appropriate human scale, great skill, and sensitivity not often found in the luxury housing market."

Awards of recognition

In addition to project awards, AIA Kentucky acknowledged six individuals recognizing outstanding service to the Kentucky Society of Architects and the profession of architecture in Kentucky:
• C. Julian Oberwarth Award to Graham W. Rapp, AIA, Arrasmith Judd, Rapp Inc., for longstanding commitment to the betterment of the profession and the well-being of architects in Kentucky
• Distinguished Service Awards to John Russell Groves, AIA, University of Kentucky College of Architecture, and David R. Proffitt, AIA, Godsey Associates Architects
• Citizens Laureate Awards to Executive Cabinet Secretary Crit Luallen, Office of the Governor, and Hank Wagner, CEO, Jewish Hospital Healthcare Services
• Allied Professional Award to Akins Company Inc.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.