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Thank you to SHW Group, LLC for this month's header image.
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For this year's Design Collabetition, we received many dynamic, creative, and innovative architectural designs. Choosing the "BEST" from those many designs proved very challenging. Frank Lloyd Wright's philosophy may have been used as a guide when our judges selected designs that they believed were worthy of receiving the "BEST" Award. In 1908, Mr. Wright noted that "... form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union. The architect should strive continually to simplify; the ensemble of the rooms should be carefully considered that comfort and utility may go hand in hand with beauty."
With great pleasure, we present the following "BEST" Award recipients. These winners were selected from the first round of winners of our other design categories, including the High Tech, Students Love It! and the Green Piece awards.
Thanks to all those that participated in our hugely successful First Annual Design Collabetition.
Joel K. Sims, AIA
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| MEET THE BEST JUDGES |
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Cameron Tipton Ed Kazanjian Guy Chamberlain Jonathan Estrin
Architect Asst. Super. Bus. Assoc. Super. Consultant
LA MA NC CA
   
Kathleen Rarewala Kristine Mower Dr. Penelope Miller Scott Goldman
Teacher Mktg. Director Prof. Art Ed. Conf. Director
CA AZ SC NJ
Susan Cohoon Teacher
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| BEST GOLD
And The Winner Is ... |
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DIGITAL CLASSROOM
by SHW Group, LLP
This new high school design concept has caught the eye of our judges on more than one occasion as it is the winner of two other GOLD Design Collabetition awards (Students Love It! and High Tech).
This state-of-the-art classroom will prepare students for success and provide learning experiences that ready students for post-secondary study and careers. With its digital surround sound and high-resolution graphics, this classroom will also provide 21st century thinking and literacy skills. The use of high technology and its multi-use dome theater is truly one-of-a-kind. Our judges agree. Guy Chamberlain states that this design is a "significant breakthrough that redefines the 21st century classroom."
A multi-use dome theater will be a focal point and a virtual communication center for K-12 instructional programs, allowing students to apply their skills and offer unique learning opportunities in many varied subjects. This planetarium-auditorium center will also serve as a hub for community activities. As a professor in art education, judge Dr. Penelope Miller chose the "Digital Classroom" because its "image possibilities are very exciting." She told us, "I can visualize teachers and students working together on the big screen. They can visually see their ideas collide with the professor's material. Exciting knowledge will result!" Jonathan Estrin noted, "This is a visionary design ... combining technology, learning theory and visual design." Cameron Tipton shared this ... "This space appears to offer a very different level of technology for integrative teaching and learning. Very exciting possibilities for many teachers and students."
Congratulations to SHW Group, LLP for being chosen as the Gold Award winner in the "BEST" design category!
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| BEST SILVER
And The Winners Are ... |
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MUSIC ROOM
by Gelfand Partners Architecture
The Vanden High School music program needed a new rehearsal space that could accommodate its full symphonic band. This space would require outstanding acoustics, large learning areas and ample storage. Its final design encompassed all this and more.
To allow for awesome acoustics and the infusion of natural light into the space, an open T-bar grid of diffusers hangs below membrane-backed batt insulation. This helps bounce sound around for improved ensemble playing and is an extremely cost-effective and attractive acoustic solution. And, as part of a planned performing arts complex, a black box theater has been incorporated (soon to double as a green room once in auditorium is added to the building). Also part of this design is sufficient instrument storage space (which will have access to the stage).
According to judge Guy Chamberlain, this design is a " ... thoughtful use of space and indoor environmental quality considerations (that) help create an extremely versatile place for learning." This design also caught judge Susan Cohoon's eye immediately as she is a person with many musical interests. She notes, "The way that the acoustic issue is resolved is attractive, cost effective and provides the needed acoustic solution ... The set-up for storage of instruments also takes looks into consideration, but still stores the instruments safely so that they are protected and easily accessed. Great idea!"
With any building, storage is always an issue, but Ed Kazanjian acknowledges that this (as well as other factors) has been amply addressed. Ed tells us, "... nice use of music storage for trophy display (never enough room and Fire Department [is] not happy with flammables being stored in these spaces ... solves that problem; natural light without glare ... the bane of musicians; large double-width door directly to outside for easy movement of students and large instruments (e.g. timpani's, etc.) to outdoors." And lastly, Penelope Miller praises the abundance of light ... "Wherever natural light can be used, the children are calmer and more productive. The windows allowed for a lot of light in the room...."
Congratulations to Gelfand Partners Architecture for being selected as the Silver "BEST" Award winner for their "Music Room" design concept!
This unique concept, also awarded the Bronze "Students Love It!" Award, was developed for The Performing Art Center, designed to accommodate a large range of performance types. Since a static acoustic system would not satisfy this demand for flexibility, the space is outfitted with a tunable acoustic system, a digital sound system, and a wave dispersal ceiling system. The stage transforms to accommodate the needs of dance, theater and orchestra.
Many of our judges agreed with Cameron Tipton when he recognized this design's "... excellent examples of reuse and renovation with flexible design considerations and environmental sustainability." Scott Goldman went another step and noted the beauty of the design -- "A handsome, even elegant execution that feels rich and polished. (I) like that it can be adjusted to fit different needs." Judge Ed Kazanjian appreciated the use of the light weight wood veneer clouds rather than using a heavier structure. He also noted how the "... trapezoidal transition at presidium (is) well done; carpet color selection and design aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain." He also appreciated the stage apron done in natural wood for use by solo instrumental performances or guest speakers. Both Guy Chamberlain and Susan Cohoon highlighted this design's creative use of existing space and its flexibility. Susan shares this ... "Since our school does not have an auditorium for performances, this one fascinated me. The Performing Art Center needed to be useful for a number of different performances. They were able to set up an appropriate acoustical system and a stage that allowed for flexibility for the many different needs. After sitting in our 'Players' Workshop' and realizing that we lack good visibility both there and at the community auditorium, it was great to read that this one had worked to improve sightlines and increase comfort."
Congratulations to Cannon Design for being awarded the Silver "BEST" Award for their "Buffalo Academy" design! |
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BEST BRONZE And The Winners Are ... |
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GREEN TOUCH SCREEN
by The Miller | Hull Partnership
When designing a new gym/arts building for the Bertschi School, Miller/Hull Partnership incorporated as many unique, environmentally-friendly elements as possible into their concept. With the hands-on elements used in their design, environmental stewardship among the pre-kindergarten through 5th grade students will be encouraged.
One of many fascinating elements included in the design includes a green touch screen in the lobby (and on the web). Using this, students may view and monitor every green component and sustainable system that went into this environmentally-friendly building. Several of our judges praised the design for promoting environmental consciousness among the students and for its overall sustainability.
Judge Cameron Tipton actually had an opportunity to visit the Bertschi School and noted that, "I was very impressed with the integration of environmental sustainability into the architecture as well as the school curriculum. The school is in a residential neighborhood, reuses existing residential structures within the block and the additions are well suited to the school and neighborhood." Guy Chamberlain agrees. He believes that this design is an "Excellent tool for enhancing environmental awareness and making incremental change to our culture."
This design concept promotes the importance of sustaining and maintaining our environment for years to come through its use of energy-saving components, rainwater cisterns, and the use of recycled, renewable and sustainable building materials. Judge Penelope Miller captures that thought and hopes that other schools will be encouraged to make changes to their schools that would embrace a "go green" attitude. According to Penelope, "I think the more schools that set the example for green construction, the better for more of us to be educated in sustainable designs ...."
Congratulations to The Miller|Hull Partnership for receiving the Bronze "BEST" award for their unique and forward-thinking "Green Touch Screen" concept. This is their fourth award for this outstanding design ("High Tech" Bronze; "Green Piece" Gold; "Students Love It!" Bronze, and "BEST" Bronze).
ACADEMY OF INFO
by Fuller D'Angelo, PC Architects
One of the challenges of this project was to find a proper balance of architecture, engineering and information technology that would create a functional, sculptural school building that would excite high school students studying these fields. However, these challenges were overcome. Now, students who enter the space can readily learn about the engineering aspects of the structure because the room has been designed to allow the structural, mechanical, electrical and information technology components to be openly exposed and easy to view.
The open amphitheater, atrium (with its 3-level steel stairway), and functional, light-infused library (with its two-story cylindrical shape and 60' translucent dome), provide the space with much-needed efficiency and flexibility. Books and functional items have been located on the exterior perimeter wall, with reading and study functions in the center to provide flexibility for group instruction and after-hour activities. Wireless electronic equipment on movable carts is also provided for the center study area.
Beautiful panoramic views provided by this dome-shaped design are icing on the cake! Designed to bring the outside environment inside during the daytime hours and project the interior lighting outside after dusk, visitors are immediately captivated by the natural light that floods the room, as well as its fluid space. According to Judge Jonathan Estrin, these two elements "... are an attractive combination." Even teachers can appreciate the fantastic views from the teacher's lounge. The lounge forms the second story of the library and has a view of the cyber café, cafeteria and distant athletic fields. Judge Susan Cohoon noted this added perk when she said "... most teachers' lounges tend to be tucked in the building with little ventilation, let alone a view!"
When describing this design, these descriptive words and phrases from our judges accurately capture its beauty and functionality -
"... compelling and well-articulated" (Jonathan Estrin);
"A beautiful design..." (Kristine Mower);
"The dome creates a soaring, invigorating sense of space and light, drawing you upwards to the sky ... the stacks and mezzanine retain a warm, cozy feel ... a very comfortable place to research and study." (Scott Goldman);
"Loved the use of space for ... instruction and having ... books on the exterior perimeter wall. It is difficult to find a design that would appeal to high school students and encourage them to utilize the media/library center. The idea that the amphitheater and atrium can be utilized as an auditorium ... set up is very inviting, something high school students greatly need." (Susan Cohoon)
Congratulations to Fuller D'Angelo for receiving the Bronze "BEST" Award for their "Academy of Information" design concept!
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