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PRESS RELEASE: AIA Newark and Suburban Architects Recognizes Region’s Top Residential and Non-Residential Designs

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — AIA Newark and Suburban Architects, a section of the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects, has announced the recipients of its 2013 Design Awards.

A juried competition held at the Morris Museum in Morristown, the Newark and Suburban Design Awards celebrated the outstanding ability of the region’s AIA member firms. Titled “A Night at the Museum,” the event provided attendees with an opportunity to view members’ best work in both residential and non-residential categories.

A total of 30 design entries were displayed in the museum’s entrance pavilion and museum court throughout the event, which culminated with an awards presentation in the museum’s 300-seat Bickford Theater.

A jury consisting of Clair Weisz, AIA, founding partner of WXY Architecture and Urban Design; Hugh Trumbull III, AIA, senior design principal with KPF; Stuart Disston, AIA, a partner in Austin Patterson Disston; and Jack Purvis, AIA, 2013 president of AIA New Jersey, bestowed awards upon the seven following designs in four different categories:

·       In the “Historic Preservation/Adaptive Reuse” category, Gensler was recognized with a gold medal for its work on the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, a boutique hotel in Philadelphia. The jurors viewed this large-scale project as well executed and fully worked-out in design at all levels, and as a project that contained many more layers to discover than could be depicted on a single presentation board. The jurors also commended this project for the positive influence it has on its surrounding environs.

·       In the “Historic Preservation/Adaptive Reuse” category, Posen Architects LLC was recognized with a silver medal for its work on the Thomas A. Wilson Building, part of the Seaview Hospital Campus in Staten Island. The jurors praised this entry for the efforts the architects took in preserving this historic structure on a limited budget, and for how the design supports the client’s social mission.

·       In the “Historic Preservation/Adaptive Reuse” category, CTS Group Architecture/Planning PA was recognized with a bronze medal for its work on the Rogers Locomotive Works Storage Building in Paterson. This project entry was praised as an example of how a historic structure that was left to crumble was brought back to life. The jurors admired the care in which the architects restored original elements, such as the façade, skylights, beams, and doors.

·       In the “Interiors/Featured Element Non-Residential” category, Posen Architects LLC was recognized with a silver medal for its work on the All Stars Project of New Jersey, an afterschool development in Newark. The jurors lauded this adaptive reuse project for its civic agenda and the manner in which it engages its neighborhood. The jurors used adjectives such as “fun, cost effective, honest and straightforward” to describe the project.

·       In the “Featured Element Residential” category, Clawson Architects, LLC was recognized with a gold medal for its work on the Karpf Residence Stair, part of a private residence in Ridgewood. This project was held up by the jurors as epitomizing what the “Featured Element” category should be — a clear and cleanly depicted presentation board that, being informed by the project, does a good job of not showing the house as a whole but rather focusing on the stair and its place within the context of an older house. The jurors felt that this submission was perhaps the best presentation of the 30 boards entered.

·       In the “Featured Element Residential” category, Clawson Architects, LLC was recognized with a silver medal for its work on the Nussbaum Pool Pavilion, part of a private residence in Short Hills. The jurors felt this project belonged in the “Featured Element” category as, being a pool house, it was an amenity to the main house. They commended the straightforward structural expression of the open gable and its post and beam construction as a proper response for an element at the end of the pool.

·       In the “Un-Built Non-Residential” category, Hugh A. Boyd Architects was recognized with a bronze medal for its work on the Atlantic City Public Market, a public market project in Atlantic City. The jurors believe this un-built entry has vast potential as an example of how a well-designed public building can play a strong role in revitalizing a neighborhood. The jurors were captivated by the clear parti and are eager to see the project as a completed built structure.

“This year’s Design Awards featured 30 extremely impressive designs, resulting in an extremely spirited competition,” stated Donald Chin, AIA, who served as the Design Awards chairperson. “The seven designs that were recognized with awards exemplify the excellence that New Jersey architects have come to be known for. It was a joy to see these designs take their rightful places alongside the Morris Museum’s fine arts exhibits.”

About AIA and AIA New Jersey

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public's needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization, which was founded in 1857, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals. AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the local chapter of AIA. In 2000, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. AIA New Jersey has about 2,000 members in six regional sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.

About AIA Newark and Suburban Architects

AIA Newark and Suburban Architects is a section of AIA New Jersey, achapter and region of the American Institute of Architects. It is a non-profit organization that serves more than 500 members in Morris, Union and Essex Counties. Through public education and outreach, community redevelopment and government advocacy and partnerships, AIA Newark and Suburban Architects protects the professional interests of its members while working to create a responsive public environment for architectural and redevelopment projects. For more information, please visit www.aians.org.