Celebrating the accomplishments of Connecticut architects and project excellence, AIA Connecticut announced the results of its 2004 annual Design Awards program on October 26. The jury chose recipients for a total of four awards, ten citations, and one honorable mention. Among the project types honored are residential, commercial, and institutional buildings; interior projects; preservation works; and unbuilt designs.

Residential Award

The Osborne Thompson Residence
Stamford, Conn.
by Kaehler Moore Architects, LLC
Jury comments: “Very clean and crisp and beautifully detailed. An elegant plan with reserved, restrained architecture, without being coyly reflective of the past.”
Photo © Esto Photographics Inc.

Awards for Built Work

The University of Connecticut Biology/Physics Building
Storrs, Conn.
by Allan Dehar Associates
Jury comments: “In such a large building the architect was able to break down the spaces and create humane interiors. The public space, which is just beautiful, carries the building. The circulation and energy of the plan is translated beautifully in the volumetric organization of the very handsome structure.”
Photo © Robert Benson Photography.

Timex World Headquarters
Middlebury, Conn.
by Fletcher Thompson, Inc.
Jury comments: “The building crowns the hill on which it is placed with a low profile, and for a large building creates a low visual on the skyline. The building is exactly the shape of the contour of the hill on which it is situated. The colossal structure hovers like a sky canopy over the office landscape, which, in turn, seems almost an organic element in the surrounding natural landscape.”
Photo © Esto Photographics Inc.

Center for Drama and Film, Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
by Cesar Pelli & Associates
Jury comments: “There is something courageous about this building, which totally integrates the remnant of the existing building with the plan of the new building. The theater is worked out nicely. A bold sleight of hand juxtaposed a sleek addition to an existing façade fragment with distinct historic character, suggesting the theatrical inclinations of this Center for Drama and Film.”
Photo © Esto Photographics Inc.

Citations for Residential Work

Double House
Peninsula de Punta Fuego, Batangas, Philippines
by CS Architecture, LLC
Jury comments: “We liked the use of stone, stucco, and wood together. The fact that it is in a tropical context simplified the plan. The organization of space and particularly the volumes takes rightful advantage of the temperate clime as the distinction between interior and exterior is graciously ignored.”
Photo © Ava Lugtu.

Veber Residence
Rye, N.Y.
by Kaehler/Moore Architects, LLC
Jury comments: “The architect abstracted the essence of traditional architecture and raised it to the level of today.”
Photo © David Sundberg.

Citations for Built Work

Wesleyan University Center for Film Studies and Cinema Archives
Middlebrook, Conn.
by Jeter Cook & Jepson Architects, Inc.
Jury comments: “The center attaches itself to a small scale building with a transparent link, resulting in an odd, but seemingly happy couple. The building itself has a clear expression of structure and order and enlivens the street.”
Photo © Woodruff/Brown Photography.

Norden Park
Norwalk, Conn.
by Perkins Eastman Architects, in association with Beinfield Architecture PC
Jury comments: “We thought it was a clever adaptive reuse, a re-detailed new sense of presence on the land. A few simple, clear ideas and nicely detailed materials transform an ordinary big box into a rather respectable project.”
Photo © Edward Hueber.

Eck Center, University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Ind.
by The S/L/A/M/ Collaborative
Jury comments: “A handsome building that goes with the tradition of the campus. The skillful manipulation of very traditional elements and style respected the existing campus and resulted in some memorable and dramatic interiors.”
Photo © Wheeler Photographics.

Citations for Interiors

Pool Pavilion, Westminster School
Simsbury, Conn.
by Graham Gund Architects
Jury comments: “We liked the interior space, particularly the exercise space and swimming pool, and noted how well light was handled, both artificial and natural, and the way it reflected off the water in the pool.”
Photo © Bruce T. Martin.

University of Connecticut Waterbury Campus
Waterbury, Conn.
by Jeter Cook & Jepson Architects Inc.
Jury comments: “Clean expressive detailing is a nice counterpoint to this wonderful library in the classical tradition.”
Photo © Robert Benson.

Jewett House, Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
by Herbert S. Newman and Partners
Jury comments: “We particularly liked the creation of interior space that sits happily in this building.”
Photo © Woodruff/Brown Photography.

Citation for Unbuilt Work

Residence
Greenwich, Conn.
by Kaehler/Moore Architects
Jury comments: “Although not fitting contextually with the surrounding architecture, this building fits with the broader context of shoreline with its storms and winds and views. It is noteworthy that the design process was abstracted and revealed in a creative and elegant submission presentation.”
Photo courtesy of the architect.

Citation for Preservation

The Candler Library at Emory University Atlanta
by The S/L/A/M/ Collaborative
Jury comments: “A handsome original building beautifully preserved. All updated refinements seamlessly modernized the building while maintaining its original integrity.”
Photo © Woodruff/Brown Photography.

Honorable Mention

Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery,
Wesleyan University
Middletown, Conn.
by Belmont Freeman Architects
Jury comments: “A wonderful upgrade to a modern, iconic building.”
Photo © Christopher Wesnofske.

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