Celebrating Connecticut finest architecture of 2009
Each year, to celebrate the accomplishments of Connecticut architects and the excellence of Connecticut architectural projects, the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) confers design awards on worthy professional and projects. Last month the New Haven-based group announced its 2009 award-winners.
Not surprisingly for a year in which a crippled economy caused many building projects to be scaled back, postponed or even cancelled outright, only financially robust entities in general saw major projects through to fruition. That helps to explain why Yale University projects dominated the 2009 awards, accounting for five of the eight non-residential award-winners for built projects in the state of Connecticut.
Explains AIA/CT Program Director Joanne Rees: “Over the past 45 years, AIA Connecticut has honored state, national and international architectural projects with 450 awards in its annual Design Award program. Juries for this program, which in the last decade has been extremely competitive, have consisted of distinguished practicing architects, architectural critics and teachers.”
Jurors for the 2009 competition, who typically are non-Connecticut architects for reasons of objectivity, were: Frances Halsband, FAIA, RM of Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects in New York City; Fred Koetter, FAIA of Koetter Kim Associates, Boston; and Randall Morton, AIA of Cooper Robertson & Partners of New York City. They were charged with judging more than 150 submissions, Rees says.
The envelopes, please:
BUILT DESIGN: Commercial, Institutional, Multi-Family Residential, Interiors
Kroon Hall, Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, New Haven
Hopkins Architects, London, UK in partnership with
Centerbrook Architects & Planners, Centerbrook (Connecticut)
Jury comments: “The way the building performs is essential to this beautiful, cathedral-like structure. Part of its performance is the creation of a destination on the campus. The long walls of its idiosyncratic, barn-like form define this compelling building.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Morley von Sternberg
BUILT DESIGN: Commercial, Institutional, Multi-Family Residential, Interiors
Institution for Social and Policy Study, Yale University, New Haven
Charney Architects, LLC, New Haven
Jury comments: “This is a ‘Peace Policy’ — it fits together two buildings that don’t want to be fit together, one on the corner, one mid-block. It is a nice building, part of a suite of buildings running along Trumbull Street in New Haven with the same scale, and it completes the suite. Even though it is highly detailed, it is muted, not intrusive.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Robert Benson Photography
BUILT DESIGN: Commercial, Institutional, Multi-Family Residential, Interiors
Renaissance Hall, Buckingham Browne and Nichols School, Cambridge, Mass.
James C. Childress, FAIA, Centerbrook Architects & Planners, Centerbrook
Jury comments: “This exercise in campus building is marked by a deft, vernacular, but not prescribed, identifiable, style. It is more free form, but it creates a consistent place, starting with the welcoming new entry and extending to its piazza-like open courtyard.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Jeff Goldberg/Esto
BUILT DESIGN: Commercial, Institutional, Multi-Family Residential, Interiors
Thomas E. Golden Jr. Center, Yale University, New Haven
Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, New Haven
Jury comments: “The building really holds the street. The jury liked the way the spaces integrate both the building and its garden-like setting. The glass roof contributes to the integration of the building and dissolves the rest of the glazing both inside and out.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Jim Fiora
BUILT DESIGN: Commercial, Institutional, Multi-Family Residential, Interiors
Office of Sustainability, Yale University, New Haven
David Thompson Architects, New Haven
Jury comments: “The architect used every opportunity to show sustainable materials and techniques. This is a simple, straightforward building that is refreshing. The effect of natural light is very good and brings light into unexpected places.”
PHOTOGRAPH: David Thompson
BUILT DESIGN: Preservation
Renovation of Paul Rudolph Hall at Yale University, New Haven
Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, LLC and Hoffmann Architects, New York City
Jury comments: “What the architect had to do here was to work around the existing building, which also had to accept the new building. Much care was taken with this. Teamwork was necessary to pull this off. The result is the best of the old building.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Peter Aaron
BUILT DESIGN: Preservation
Phase I Restoration, Putnam Memorial State Park, Redding
Nelson Edwards Co. Architects, LLC, Branford
Jury comments: “A carefully reasoned process led to beautiful results. This is a model of how a restoration project should work. With the new insertion, the building is really updated and is part of our time. The jury appreciated seeing the process. The building looks like it always has, but is better. In this category a flexible relationship is necessary between the old and the new. The question of a dialogue with a significant building is always raised.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Nelson Edwards Co. Architects, LLC
BUILT DESIGN: Preservation
Handel Performing Arts Center, University of Hartford, Hartford
Smith Edwards Architects, Hartford
Jury comments: “The jury liked the idea of seeing the building (a car dealership) as resource. The project demonstrates how a building can have a useful, meaningful life. It is a straightforward project that is about the versatility of loft-like buildings. It goes beyond a design award, demonstrating that the client had an understanding of the building as a resource.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Robert Benson Photography
BUILT DESIGN: Preservation
Trinity College Long Walk, Hartford
Smith Edwards Architects, Hartford
Jury comments: “This is preservation in its purest form. Here is the challenge: the building was magnificent, and when the project was done, it is still magnificent. The hand of the architect is invisible.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Robert Benson Photography
BUILT DESIGN: Residential Design
Red Hook Pool House, Red Hook, N.Y.
Demetriades Architecture and Walker Designs — A Joint Venture, Lakeville
Jury comments: “This is a beautiful use of the site, well integrated, with the building perching on its edge. You are put right into the woods, and when you are on the deck you have the feeling of being suspended in the trees. On its other side the house is a part of a residential enclave. This is a lot of experience for a little house. The details are beautifully made.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Peter R. Peirce Inc.
BUILT DESIGN: Residential Design
Lakewood House, Northeast
Mark Simon, FAIA, Centerbrook Architects & Planners, Centerbrook
Jury comments: “The house draws you in because of the fineness of its structure. The viewer wants to see beyond the whimsical, unique sunscreen, but wishes it to remain in place because of its total integration with the structure. The fabric of the building is well thought out, and its scale attracts the viewer.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Peter Aaron/Esto
BUILT DESIGN: Residential Design
Connecticut Carriage House, Weston
David Scott Parker Architects, LLC, Southport
Jury comments: “The jury was taken by the rotundness of this six-car garage, which doesn’t look like a garage. This is a Colonial revival building that has verve!”
PHOTOGRAPH: Durston Saylor
BUILT DESIGN: Residential Design
Bridge House, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Wilfred John Oskar Armster, AIA, Guilford
Jury comments: “The building is all about careful, artful siting. It has a taut simplicity. The way it sits in the landscape and the landscape itself are perfect. It is all about place. It looks like a big slab of granite, but one that is not hitting the ground. The building illustrates the fact that you do not have to spend a lot of dollars for an excellent project.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Curt Clayton
BUILT DESIGN: Residential Design
Private Residence, Harbor Island, Bahamas
Newman Architects, LLC, New Haven
Jury comments: “This renovation of an existing building catches the eye. The jury was struck by how the renovation got the way it is. There are many amenities and much care here. The jury liked the way the building relates to the site. It is an amazing transformation.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Peter Newman
URBAN DESIGN
Public Amenity Including Carousel Enclosure and Patio, Stamford
Newman Architects, LLC, New Haven
Jury comments: “It is possible to describe a park in many ways. A definition of park often concentrates on trees, but this project brings in other elements as well for an overall effect: it is a shelter, a trellis; it has playfulness. It is an interesting place that creates a destination.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Newman Architects, LLC
URBAN DESIGN
Centennial Hall and Robert K. Hoffman Center, St. Mark School of Texas, Dallas, Tex.
Centerbrook Architects & Planners, Centerbrook
Jury comments: The excellence of this project as an urban design endeavor moved the jury to single it out. It transforms a disparate group of buildings into a campus. While each new building can stand on its own merits, together they create a superlative effect.”
PHOTOGRAPH: Jeff Goldberg/Esto
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