AIA Potomac Valley presented December 13 the winners of its 2002 Awards for Excellence in Architectural Design program in College Park, Md. The organization also awarded its new Paul H. Kea Memorial Medal for Architectural Advocacy, Leadership and Service to the Profession, named for the Fellow of the Institute who founded the Potomac Valley Chapter and the school of architecture at the University of Maryland. The three architects honored with the first Kea Medals were:

• Roger K. Lewis, FAIA, for architectural advocacy. Author of the biweekly Washington Post series "Shaping the City," Lewis also teaches design studio and courses in drawing and theory at the University of Maryland School of Architecture and runs his own practice as an architect and planner.
• Ralph D. Bennett, AIA, for leadership. Bennett has served as chapter as board member, officer, and president, as well as ARE seminar chair. He is serving his second seven-year term as chair of the Montgomery County Productivity Housing Advisory Committee.
• John F. Corkill Jr, AIA, for service to the profession. Corkill has dedicated 23 years of service to the AIA national component as a Board member; to AIA Maryland Society as president and officer, and to the AIA Potomac Valley Chapter as president and officer. Through pro-bono, on-site consultations, Corkill has worked to convince more than 260 churches to grace their neighborhoods with fitting symbols of their faith by employing talented local architects.

To read more about the honorees, click here.

At the awards banquet, AIA Potomac Valley also presented two checks for $1,000 each to the Prince George's County Habitat for Humanity and the Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity. The funds were raised through the Chapter's "Where the Architects Live," home tour of six architect's private residences.

Honor Awards

Charles H. Flowers High School, Landover, Md., by Grimm and Parker, PC Architects, for Prince Georges County Schools.

The jury appreciated the way the activity wings cluster around the center spine and the scale of the three-story structure. They were “drawn to the use of materials and level of detail, which allow the visitor to enter and occupy the space."

Pierce Winter House, Shepherdstown, W.Va., by McInturff Architects.

"The house takes advantage of incredible views,” the jury noted. They also praised the site relationship and how the project blends into its surroundings. “Character and quality of lighting and materials provide a level of comfort."

Weiner Residence, Washington, D.C., by McInturff Architects, for David Weiner.

The jury applauded the “clever solution given the size of the existing building” and said the remodel and use of outdoor space associated with it are great benefits to the existing row house.

Merit Awards

Fontina Grille, Rockville, Md., by Rosenberg A+I, for Carrie and Dominic D'Antona.

This clean design solution "cleverly uses a very small space for many purposes” by taking the “long tunnel effect and breaking it up into two or three more intimate areas,” the jury said.

Chicago Botanical Gardens Comfort Station by Shinberg Levinas Architectural Design LLC, for Chicago Botanical Gardens.

The jury noted that the design "blends into the vegetation as you walk down the path. Nice use of the wall as a landscape element that, much like the landscape there, is layered. The design minimizes the effect of these buildings on the surrounding environment."

Kahn Kriesberg Residence, Potomac, Md., by Wiedemann Architects, for Martha Kahn and Simeon Kriesberg.

The overall feeling of the house and site appealed to the jury, especially the nice gesture of how you drive into "open arms." They also mentioned the welcoming lower scale on the entrance and the way the back opens up to the views.

Citations

Mitchell House, Bethesda, Md., by Brenneman & Pagenstecher, Inc., for Gerard and Germana Mitchell.

The jury liked the use of materials, which “maintains a very residential atmosphere that blends in to the look of the other structures. Italian character comes out in the rear views successfully.”

Neuralstem Headquarters, Gaithersburg, Md., by DNC Architects Inc., for Neuralstem, Inc.

This building offers an “attractive setup of the workstation spaces to bring in outdoor light,” according to the jury, who were taken by its unique character and feel. “In terms of cutting-edge design, it meets the program goals of the owner," they noted.

U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Staff Housing, Bayan, Kuwait, by Sorg and Associates, P.C., for the U.S. Department of State.

The jury admired this project’s straightforward planning concept and good use of indigenous materials. They commented on its “thoughtful expression of detail throughout the entire facility. The detailing nicely disguises the massiveness of this very large housing project."

Lyon Village Residence, Arlington, Va., by Wiedemann Architects, for Dan and Debbie McGinn.

"The new elements are consistent with the original design of the house,” the jury remarked. “The scale of the new components reflects nicely the character of the original design. Nice transition in scale from the low garden elements to the house."

Copyright 2003 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.