June 8, 2007
  project watch
Hyatt Regency O'Hare Gets a Makeover
Transformation Gives Airport Hotel 21st Century Look
Atlanta-based TVS and TVS Interiors, along with the Global Hyatt Corporation, recently completed Phase I of a $60 million renovation of the 10-story Hyatt Regency O'Hare, the largest convention hotel near an airport in the U.S. Highlights of the renovation include a new glass-canopied porte-cochere, an updated atrium with a monumental glass staircase and glass chandelier, a new landscaping design, and a two-level hub conference center to accommodate meetings and large-scale events in a high-tech setting.

Cultural Cornerstone Anchors Grand Rapids Revitalization
New art museum melds art, public space, and efficiency
This fall, the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) will open its new 125,000-square-foot building in the heart of Grand Rapids. Designed by Kulapat Yantrasast, AIA, partner in Los Angeles-based Workshop Hakomori Yantrasast (wHY), the GRAM building is intended to be a cultural cornerstone to a revitalized downtown Grand Rapids. In the past 15 years, more than $1.2 billion has been invested in the downtown area to develop distinguished facilities, including the Van Andel Institute, a new convention center, entertainment and sports arena, and upgrades to local hospitals and universities. One of the more recent additions to the public landscape is Maya Lin’s Ecliptic Park, located adjacent to the new GRAM.

Richmond Designs Charm Awards Jury
Each year, AIA Richmond's design awards celebrate the best of the Richmond area’s newest architecture, recognize achievement in a broad range of architectural work by licensed architects and interns and the special contributions to the built environment by individuals outside of the profession, and inform the public of the breadth and value of architectural practice. Boston-area architects selected this year’s recipients, and the awards were presented in April as part of the Chapter’s 2007 Architecture Week celebration.

 

Copyright 2007 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. Home Page
home
news headlines
practice
business
design
Welcome to the Design Zone
Here is where you will find our weekly Project Watch, short vignettes on notable projects in this country and abroad. The Design Zone is also where you will find coverage of awards programs, including the national Honor Awards as well as state and local component awards.