Tuesday, November 28, 2023

PR: The Connecticut American Institute of Architects Announces the 2021 Architecture Awards

For Immediate Release

(New Haven, CT, November 17, 2021) The Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Connecticut) celebrated the annual awards gala on November 16th at Aria in Prospect, CT.

The event celebrates residential and commercial architecture, the power of architecture to shape business performance, the emerging professionals who have already made outstanding contributions to their profession, and the impact that an individual or group can have on the world of Architecture and our organization.

Forty-five awards were presented to both individuals and firms. Acknowledgement of membership milestones, 25 and 50-year also took place.

The awardees of the evening included:

Alice Washburn Awards

Named for the distinguished Connecticut designer and builder of the 1920’s, largely self-taught, whose work is known for her thoughtful stylistic and programmatic invention. Focusing on style: the program acknowledges excellence in traditional house design through the thoughtful adaptation of tradition to address 21st-century needs. Works are located in Connecticut and designed in a style broadly considered as “traditional”.

Excellence Awards:

  • Lakeside Georgian Estate                                 Charles Hilton Architects
  • Pool Pergola                                                      Charles Hilton Architects

Merit Awards:

  • Classic Georgian Restoration                            Douglas VanderHorn Architects
  • Treetop                                                              Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc.
  • Victorian Cottage & Barn                                   David Scott Parker Architects

Citation for Restoration:

  • Sun Tavern                                                         David Scott Parker Architects
Business Architecture Awards

This statewide award honors architects for solving business problems for their clients, thereby demonstrating the power of architecture to shape business performance, to improve peoples’ lives and provide a value-added service to clients in a business setting that far exceeds the costs of that service.

Excellence Awards:

  • 600 Canal Place                                                  Pickard Chilton
  • Dos Luces Brewery                                             Pirie Associates

Merit Awards:

  • 165 Capitol Avenue                                             Amenta Emma Architects
  • Connecticut Innovations                                      Amenta Emma Architects
Elizabeth Mills Brown Awards

The Elizabeth Mills Brown Award recognizes design excellence in the restoration, rehabilitation, adaptation, and reuse of historic structures. The award is named after and honors the work of Betty Brown, a prominent Connecticut architectural historian, preservationist, and civic leader, and author of the extraordinarily comprehensive and meticulously researched New Haven: A Guide to Architecture and Urban Design (Yale University Press, 1976). This award is presented in conjunction with Preservation Connecticut.

Excellence Awards:

  • Harbor House                                                     J.P. Franzen Associates
  • Hill-Stead Museum Visitor Center                      Centerbrook Architects and Planners
  • Saint Mary Place                                                Patriquin Architects
  • Sun Tavern                                                         David Scott Parker Architects

Merit Awards:   

  • 165 Capitol Avenue                                           Amenta Emma Architects
  • Elizabeth Park Visitors Center                          Schadler Selnau Associates
  • Joseph R. Ensign House                                  Crosskey Architects, LLC
  • Victorian Cottage and Barn                              David Scott Parker Architects
Sustainable Architecture Awards

The Sustainable Architecture awards program recognizes the efforts of licensed Connecticut architects who have developed and demonstrated ways to decrease Green House Gases, reduce energy use and demand, and conserve water use in the built or natural environments. Equally important is the creation of durable, comfortable, and healthy spaces. The award attempts to raise the public awareness of the current climate crisis and the massive role played by construction, maintenance, and operations of the built environment. The Sustainable Architecture Award also honors the climate change initiatives of AIA Connecticut and Connecticut Passive House to secure a more sustainable and environmentally thriving future.

Merit Awards:   

  • 165 Capitol Avenue                                             Amenta Emma Architects
  • 2+U                                                                     Pickard Chilton
  • 11 Crown                                                            Kenneth Boroson Architects, LLC
Design Awards

The Design Awards recognize design excellence of built and unbuilt work in Connecticut or in other locations by Connecticut-based firms.

Excellence Awards: - Built:

  • Washington Art Association                                Gray Organschi Architecture
  • Art Barn                                                              John Martin Associates Architects

Merit Awards - Built:     

  • 315 Buckingham Street Garage                        Amenta Emma Architects
  • 575 Madison Avenue                                         Amenta Emma Architects
  • 600 Canal Place                                                Pickard Chilton
  • Corporate Tech/Co-work Campus                     Kenneth Boroson Architects, LLC
  • Hill House                                                          Joeb Moore + Partners, Architects, LLC
  • Little Harbor House                                           Gray Organschi Architecture
  • New Lebanon Elementary School                     TSKP Studio
  • UNH, Bergami Center for Innovation                Svigals + Partners
  • Pond House                                                      Roger Ferris + Partners

Citation for Reimagination

  • Essex River House                                           Robert Orr & Associates, LLC

 Merit Awards - Unbuilt:

  • Carbon Containment Lab                                 Gray Organschi Architecture
  • Stuckbridge Park                                               TSKP Studio

Additionally, the following were recognized during the evening.

Women in Architecture Award – Katelyn Chapin, AIA
Honors registered and practicing female architects in Connecticut who demonstrate design excellence, promote equitable & sustainable practice, and are affecting change in the profession.

Emerging Professionals Award
This award recognizes and supports emerging, graduate architects who have made outstanding, innovative contributions to the discipline and/or profession and have rendered exemplary service in the public realm.

  • Max Ernesto Ballardo, Assoc. AIA                  Patriquin Architects
  • Tom Barker, AIA                                             Amenta Emma Architects
  • Alexis Hoff, Assoc. AIA                                  Amenta Emma Architects

Connecticut Treasures - Garde Arts Center, New London County
Features the wealth and diversity of buildings from each of the eight Connecticut counties. The public is invited every year to vote for a favorite building for this state-wide award.

Public Service Award - John Herzan, New Haven Preservation Trust
The Public Service Award acknowledges the impact that an individual or group can have on the world of Architecture.

Allied Members of the Year - Ronald Penton, LaRosa Building; Cathy DeFrances-Vittorio, Fuss & O'Neill
Recognizes Allied Members who are not architects, but by their interest, participation, and concern have promoted and contributed significantly to the profession of architecture through their membership and participation in the Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Volunteer of the YearDominique Moore, Assoc. AIA; Leonard Wyeth, AIA
AIA Connecticut honors our volunteers for their support and assistance through committee work and
acknowledges their service on the Volunteer of the Year plaque that hangs in the AIA Connecticut office.

Additional information and images are available at https://aiact.org AWARDS dropdown menu.

About AIA Connecticut:

AIA Connecticut, a statewide chapter of the American Institute of Architects, serves the architectural profession, encourages design excellence, and works to improve society through a concern for the quality of the built and natural environments. Members commit themselves to the highest standards of practice and code of ethics that addresses responsibilities to the public, clients, the building industry, and the art and science of architecture.

AIA Connecticut serves as a resource to architects and the public. Its membership of over 1,500 is comprised of architects, associates working towards licensure, students, and professionals in affiliated fields.

For more information, visit AIA Connecticut’s website at www.aiact.org