Milwaukee’s Lakefront Accessible Once Again
HGA’s Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin opens access to the lake and complements MAM
The layout of downtown Milwaukee has kept Lake Michigan at arm’s length from Milwaukeeans for too many years. With the creation of Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, a youth-focused science education center, that’s beginning to change. Sited on a peninsula adjacent to Eero Saarinen’s 1957 Milwaukee Art Museum and Santiago Calatrava’s 2001 MAM extension, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin is remarkable not only because its design is complementary to such lauded architectural treasures, but because it provides rare pedestrian access to the lake. James Shields, AIA, project manager, Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA) Architects and Engineers, a lifetime resident of Milwaukee, says that it was critical that his design made Lake Michigan easily accessible to downtown, something that hasn’t been available during his lifetime.

Beyond Zero: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture’s Desert Experiment
Masdar Headquarters will power itself and gives power back
Formed by former SOM Partner Adrian Smith, FAIA, and Associate Partner Gordon Gill, AIA, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture’s Masdar Headquaters in Abu Dhabi is a mixed-use building that will overcome the challenging desert climate to generate more power than it needs solely through sustainable systems. These systems will include solar air conditioning, photovoltaic panels, wind cone ventilation, water conservation and recycling, and more.

AIA Minnesota Announces 2007 Honor Awards
AIA Minnesota proudly announced seven honor award recipients at the chapter’s 73rd annual convention, held at Minneapolis’ International Market Square last November. The Honor Awards were reviewed in five categories: architecture, housing, interiors, restoration/renovation, and urban design/master planning. Jurors were David Dixon, FAIA, Goody Clancy, Boston; Victor “Trey” Trahan, FAIA, Trahan Architects, Baton Rouge; and Josh Shelton, AIA, el dorado architects, Kansas City. Mo. They reviewed the 117 project submissions from AIA Minnesota architecture firms.