The AIA Northern Virginia Chapter bestowed four awards of excellence, seven awards of merit, four associate/intern awards, and a special citation for lighting design and design interest in a cost-effective solution at the chapter’s annual awards ceremony June 7 at the new Gannett USA Today headquarters in McLean, Va.

The seven entry categories were: Commercial Architecture, Institutional Architecture, Residential Architecture, Historic Architecture, Interior Architecture, Conceptual/Unbuilt Architecture, and The Kitten McD. Herlong Memorial Award for AIA Associates/Interns. The winning projects are located in Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; West Virginia; Florida; and California.

The jury, all from the New York City area, included Chair William Pedersen, FAIA, principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates; James W. Rhodes, FAIA, partner, Beyer Blinder Belle, Architects and Planners LLP; Ronnette Riley, FAIA, principal, Ronnette Riley Architect; and Lilla Smith, senior associate, Gwathmey Siegel and Associates Architects LLC. Presenters were Jerri Smith, AIA, of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, architects of the Gannett building, and Design Awards Committee Chair Paul R. Erickson, AIA, of LeMay Erickson Architects. The 28th annual Design Awards drew 124 entries.

Commercial Architecture Award Of Merit

National Wildlife Federation Headquarters
Reston, Va.
by Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, PC
Owner: National Wildlife Federation
Photo © Alan Karchmer/ESTO
Jury Comment: This strong environmental design is quite successful in relating the building to the site. The handsome atrium space between the elements is simple and seems to let you enjoy the journey. In the interior, the inventive clustering of the workstations provides delightful variety.

Institutional Architecture Award Of Merit

Vienna Presbyterian Church
Vienna, Va.
by LeMay Erickson Architects
Owner: Trustees of Vienna Presbyterian Church
Photo © Dan Cunningham
Jury Comment: This church’s very large program was difficult to accommodate, and the architect did a good job of it. All of the elements connect nicely—materials, color, and scale. The interior treatment also works very successfully.

Residential Architecture Award Of Excellence

Lindenburger/Schutz Residence
Prince William County, Va.
by Robert M. Gurney, FAIA
Owners: Joanne Lindenburger and Benjamin Schutz
Photo © Anice Hoachlander
Jury Comment: We like the way the architect framed the views out of the building. There is an interesting, unclichéd use of different materials. We especially liked the forecourt. It’s an interesting and complex conceptual design. We would love to see this one when it’s completed.

Blue Ridge Farmhouse Addition
Washington, Va.
by Robert M. Gurney, FAIA
Clients: Robert & Elizabeth Haskell
Photo © Paul Warchol
Jury Comment: We were unanimous on this project from the beginning, with its superior simplicity of detailing. The presentation aligns with the building design—it is elegant, simple, and easy to understand, masterfully using materials without historicizing them. To do the chimney in concrete when you’d expect it in masonry or stone, and to batter the form is really thoughtful. There is a great solid-to-void relationship in this design.

Historic Architecture Award Of Merit

Wheatland Farms Log Cabin
Waterford, Va.
by Reader & Swartz Architects, PC
Owner: Wheatland Farms, LLC, Ava Abramowitz and Neil Rackham, managers
Photo © Ron Blunt Photography
Jury Comment: We liked the juxtaposition between the old and the new piece. There was a lot of thought put into the detailing of this project. The approach provides clarity in which part is old. The project’s photographs are very beautiful and really quite seductive.

Shugaar Residence
Arlington, Va.
by Moore Architects, PC
Owners: Tony and Lisa Shugaar
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: The plan really works on this house. We liked the way it is composed with its marvelous big, warm, wooden floor. With the new construction, it becomes a totally new composition. The porch made us want to sit on it. We commend the designer for clarity of presentation.

Interior Architecture Award Of Excellence

Greenpeace USA Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
by Envision Design, PLLC
Owner: Greenpeace USA
Photo © Michael Moran Photography
Jury Comment: This project had the clearest explanation on sustainable design. The presentation had especially clear diagrams. It’s nice how the architect left remnants of the old building exposed. We like the floating ceiling overlay—it hovers over an industrial landscape.

A & E Signature Service Call Center
Pensacola, Fla.
by Envision Design, PLLC
Owner: A&E Signature Service, A Division of Montgomery Ward
Photo © Michael Moran Photography
Jury Comment: We appreciate the use of good reflective light. The ceiling was done in a convincing way. The plan also has a lot of interest to it. We liked the textural continuity; it’s too often overlooked. This is a spirited environment—it’s very colorful.

Interior Architecture Award Of Merit

Gannett/USA Today Headquarters
McLean, Va.
by Lehman-Smith + McLeish
Owner: Gannett Co., Inc.
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: We like the way the words are made a part of the environmental graphics, giving a nice tie-in to the USA Today tenant. The plan is very strong. The circulation works well, as does the spine of light. The floor pattern is very successful.

Conceptual/Unbuilt Architecture Award Of Merit

Smith-Lettow Residence
Washington, D.C.
by David Jameson Architect
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: The concept of this project is very strong. There’s such an interesting change from the existing building to what is proposed. In an urban environment, it’s nice to have skylights bring the light deep into a building. The juxtaposition of the two buildings really works well. This is a great example of how you get a modern expression in a traditional environment.

The House in Dutton Gap
Gerrardstown, W.Va.
by Reader & Swartz Architects, PC
Owner: Chris Thiel
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: This project has a powerful elevation. There is a really commanding relation to the granary and how it derives the construction system from it. This addition gives the original building room to breathe. We like how it acknowledges the sun and the views in its orientation.

Kitten Mcd. Herlong AIA Memorial Design
Award Of Excellence

Boatcrafters Expandable Workshop
Sunnyvale, Calif.
by Daryl P. Wells, Associate AIA
Owner: Richard E. Wells
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: This project generated a lot of discussion. There’s such a strong humility of scale in this clever, compact design. It is well-thought-out, a great idea, and very nicely executed. The retractable doors are fascinating. What a great place to work!

Kitten Mcd. Herlong AIA Memorial Design
Award Of Merit

Solar Decathlon Village
The National Mall, Washington, D.C.
by Daryl P. Wells, Associate AIA, of the Washington Alexandria Architecture Center
Client: Office of Solar Energy Technology, U.S. Department of Energy
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: The project responds well to the axial nature of the site and the spirit of the event. There is a successful hierarchy in the relationship of the parts; a clarity that makes it very appealing. The project has a very strong graphic quality.

Logan Heights Development (Unit C)
Washington, D.C.
by Ali R. Honarkar, Assoc. AIA, Division One
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: This is a very successful design. The materials suggested are very strong. It’s often difficult to scale things proportionately, and this project has a great sense of scale. The illustrated section is extremely interesting.

Charles Products, Inc.
Rockville, Md.
by Ali R. Honarkar, Assoc. AIA, Division One
Photo courtesy of the architect
Jury Comment: This very strong project is as successful as any of the submittals we’ve seen this year. There is a wonderful relationship between the parts and whole. The diversity of the project is even reflected in the custom-designed furniture.

Special Citation for Lighting Design and Design Interest in a Cost Effective Solution

Glenwood Library
Cooksville, Md.
by Grimm + Parker Architects
Owner: Howard County Libraries
Photo © Kenneth M. Wyner
Jury comment: This is a spirited, playful building. We especially like the elevation and being able to see into the building with the “pick-up-sticks” lighting scheme. Seeing a children’s library without a fish tank is rare and really encouraging! The architects did a lot with a modest budget.

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