The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced the winners of its annual architecture awards. This year, we’re addressing an energy-efficient ferry terminal inspired by Native American longhouses and a desert environment.
The AIA Architecture Awards encourage the finest new buildings by licensed companies in the United States. The buildings themselves don’t actually have to be in the United States to qualify, but this year he said all but one of the buildings are actually in the United States.
“The 2023 Architecture Awards program celebrates the best of contemporary architecture and highlights the many ways buildings and spaces enhance life,” said an AIA press release. “The seven judges will select submissions that demonstrate design achievements such as location, purpose, history and environmental sustainability.”
We’ve highlighted a few standout projects to catch your eye below, but head over to the gallery to check out each of the 16 buildings featured in the AIA 2023 Architecture Awards.
Benjamin Benschneider
The Mukilteo multimodal ferry terminal was designed by LMN Architects and is located north of Seattle, Washington. The overall design of the charming building is influenced by the traditional longhouses of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Its shape actually came out of a collaboration with the architect and his Salish tribe of the Coast.
The building occupies a former brownfield site that housed an Air Force fuel storage tank facility during the Cold War. The interior features lots of wood and plenty of glass to maximize daylight. Solar panels installed on the roof provide him 40% of the electricity. In addition, the parking lot features a rainwater filtration system that allows rainwater to pass through a layer of sand before entering the nearby ocean.
Vinay Panjuwan
The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl’s School was designed by Diana Kellogg Architects and is located in Rajasthan, India. The building is located in the Thar Desert and serves approximately 400 young women in areas with very low female literacy.
The school’s oval shape is not only envisioned as an extension of the rugged desert landscape, but also a subtle reference to the region’s famous forts. Local traditions were also considered in the design process. Most notable is the Indian tendency to form schools around courtyards. The building collects and stores rainwater and recycles greywater. In a nice touch, the solar canopy on the roof doubles as a playground for the students.
Source: AIA
