2006 Design Awards Winners
Honor Award
Project: The Mercersburg Academy, Burgin Center for the Arts
Client: Mercersburg Academy
Architect: Polshek Partnership Architects, LLP
We loved the subdued elegance of this building. There was quite a bit of contrast in the design, with several simple shapes, and a clear spine. It is nice how it all happens underneath one roof. We like the juxtaposition of natural materials like stone with the contemporary materials of steel and glass. The building has a great repetition of elements, along with the classical portico executed with lean materials. We really appreciated the interconnectedness of indoors and outdoors – especially given the climate.
Merit Award
Project: Professional Office Renovation and Fit-Out
Client / Architect: AUM Architecture, LLC
We liked the simplicity of materials on this project. This project does a nice job of engaging light, which is limited in the building. This project took a space in an average building and gave it a much higher level of experiential quality with the use of light and wood, and attention to furnishings. We liked the use of the homasote board – and wished that this had been used for all of the interior walls in lieu of the mixing it with the exposed CMU. We also thought that the furniture design, mixed with the special designer pieces, worked very well.
Merit Award
Project: Petersburg Commons “Green” Affordable Housing
Client: Wagman Construction, Inc. / The Perry Green Building Housing Corp.
Architect: Office for Planning and Architecture
We really appreciate this building type, and the effort required to produce this project. We were impressed with the variety of energy-efficient/sustainable techniques used – particularly given the budget of the project. There was a striking contrast between the context and this project – the same vernacular was used, but with a wonderful combination of materials. We liked the ‘super simple’ palette. We do wish that the fine detailing had been executed a bit better, and that the finesse of the exterior had been carried inside. We recognize that the interiors of this project type can be a bit of a challenge, but feel that there were some missed opportunities. That said, we thought that this project was really well presented. There were great graphics, and we loved the attention that was put into showing it off – including the honesty of the interior.
Merit Award
Project: Tremont Grand
Client: William C. Smith & Co.
Architect: Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
We loved the idea of the connection of this building to the garage and the hotel. The project was a great adaptive re-use. This connection was executed in such a way that it was not really apparent from the front of the building, and was so light that it did not detract from the original architecture. The overall project was also well executed in terms of the incorporation of the systems within the fabric of a historic structure. We also liked the exterior café seating tucked into the ‘alley’ space, and its connection to the new adjacent café inside. In general, we thought that this was a great new use for an older building – particularly given its original use.
Citation Award
Project: Hagerstown Educational Center
Client: University System of Maryland
Architect: Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
We thought that this project did a nice job of introducing a new vocabulary with the old. We like the clearly distinct but compatible connections of the old to the new. We also liked the fact that the exterior of the building was not overly restored – the designers found the right balance on this project. We liked looking at the front facade and seeing the old stress points. We had some concern about the intervention at the new curtain wall on the front, but feel that the new addition created some very nice spaces. The adjacent garden/park space was a great addition to the project. Our only wish here is that some of the old exterior – including the signage – had been retained.
Citation Award
Project: Private Residence – Renovation
Client: Dr. Robert Levenson and Donna Savage
Architect: AUM Architecture, LLC
This project is a nice transformation of a typical 1960’s ranch house into a modern home. Much of the pleasure of the design of this project is on the exterior, where the original character of the house has been completely transformed. The landscaping creates a really nice entry, and the layered screen creates a fun interest to where one is not looking at the building, but rather enjoying the new landscaping. There is a nice theming of the interior spaces – the wood screening provides continuity with the exterior – and there is a good use of color and wood. The specially designed furniture adds the final touch to the project.
Citation Award
Project: New Student Center, University of Baltimore
Client: The University of Baltimore
Architect: Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
We like the multi-layers and simple geometry. The building is a lantern in an urbanscape. The architecture makes this building nice and welcoming. We could imagine being drawn to this building after a late night studying for some socializing – or even as a place to come and study. It has a nice contemporary urban feel. Although we feel that there is a bit too much happening on the exterior – the vocabulary is confusing – we think that there is nice restraint inside. The interior spaces are very serene, and well lit. The lighting systems are well controlled. The attic, or upper portion of the glass structure, feels like a perch on the Eiffel Tower.
