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AIA Michigan 2011 Design Excellence Awards

William W. Cook Legal Research Library Restoration and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Law School at Ann Arbor—Interior Architecture Award
Architect: Lord, Aeck & Sargent
Photography: Clayton Studio Photography.
The library is a significant historic structure that has been identified as a contributing element of the University of Michigan’s Central Campus Historic District. The project restored and rehabilitated the historic lighting and sensitively increased the light levels within the public spaces of these buildings.

Guardian Building, Detroit—Twenty-Five Year Award
Architect: SmithGroup
Photos: Laszlo Regos Photography, William Schumann Photography.
The Guardian Building is one of the most significant and striking Art Deco skyscrapers in the world. The building’s taller north tower and smaller octagonal south tower are connected with a nave-like block similar to the plan of a cathedral, and the building was once promoted as the “Cathedral of Finance.”

Pique, Grand Rapids—Low Budget/Small Project Award
Architect: progressive | ae
Photography: Dan Tyrer, AIA and Bryan Koehn, AIA.
Pique was designed and built as an entry for ArtPrize, an art competition that transforms the buildings and pedestrian spaces of Grand Rapids into public galleries.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport North Terminal, Romulus, Mich.—Building Award
Architect: Gensler, Design Architect
Photography: Vito Palmisano, David Joseph.
The building’s “big idea” design element is the three-level, 660-foot-long, glass Gateway Foyer that links all levels and supports every mode of vertical and horizontal passenger movement though the terminal. As an “origins and destinations” terminal rather than a hub, which typically keeps its passengers inside the concourse, a strong curbside architectural presence was desired.

Packard House, Ann Arbor, Mich.—Sustainable Design Award
Architect: Warren Samberg Architect
Photography: Warren Samberg, AIA, Gregory Holm.
An addition to a historic Victorian student apartment home located one block from the University of Michigan, the residence was designed to provide a unique housing option for students interested in sustainable living.

Ayaka Sushi, Ann Arbor, Mich.—Interior Architecture Award
Architect and photography: PLY Architecture.
Experiments for the interior emerge from a series of questions about the relationship between the craft of making and new technologies of digital fabrication, which often results large quantities of wasted material.

University Presbyterian Church, Sanctuary Renovations, Rochester Hills, Mich.—Interior Architecture Award.
Architect: Constantine George Pappas AIA Architecture/Planning
Photography: Justin Maconochie, Photographer.
After years of neglect, renovations addressed a new pipe organ, poor ventilation, poor acoustics, and poor lighting. To define the liturgical elements, the chancel platform was enlarged and centralized between the aisles to support all the liturgical functions of the sanctuary.

Kennesaw State University Soccer Stadium, Kennesaw, Ga.—Building Award.
Architect: Rossetti
Photography: Robb Helfrick.
In response to the growth of its soccer program, the university undertook plans for a new 8,300-seat soccer stadium. The project has grown to host additional activities such as woman’s professional soccer, football, concerts, community recreation activities, and more.

Houseal Lavigne Associates, Chicago—Interior Architecture Award
Architect: inFORM Studio
Photography: inFORM studio.
The renovation of an eleventh-floor suite in the 1926 Art Deco Metropolitan Building, located in the heart of the Chicago theater district, provided an opportunity for the insertion of a progressive planning and urban design firm looking to increase their profile within the city.

Trenton South Engine Plant, Trenton, Mich.—Steel Award
Architect of Record: BEI Associates
Design Architect: Harley Ellis Devereaux
Photography: Maylone Photography.
This project achieved LEED certification that includes both building and process loads. The integrated design team achieved a balanced number of sustainable strategies in all categories.

Western Michigan University Frostic School of Visual Arts Kohrman Hall Renovation, Kalamazoo, Mich—Interior Architecture Award
Architect: SmithGroup
Photos: Jim Haefner Photography.
The completely renovated space includes dedicated studios for ceramics, painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and printmaking. in addition to student galleries, classrooms, critique spaces, and a lecture hall shared by students and faculty.

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