AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the 2022 Design Awards. These honors celebrate projects no older than seven years that contribute to the built environment and are clear examples of thoughtful, engaging design. Within each of the award categories, consideration was given to sustainability, affordability, social impact, innovation, durability, addressing the natural and built context, and meeting the specific needs of the client.

From a field of 155 entries, only 16 were selected by the jury for recognition. These few projects stood above the rest as particularly notable. Awards of Merit are presented to those project worthy of recognition and an Award of Honor is reserved for those projects deemed by the jury to be truly exceptional.  Consideration is given to aesthetics, social impact, innovation, context, performance, and stewardship of the natural environment — with particular emphasis on the Framework for Design Excellence.

About the Jury
The jury was chaired by Anne Marie Duvall-Decker, FAIA principal of the Jackson, Mississippi-based firm Duvall Decker. She was joined by Paul Mankins, FAIA founder of Substance Architecture and Cody Farris, AIA, Studio Design Director with Duvall Decker.

In the ADAPTIVE OR CONTINUED USE category

The work of retrofitting, renovating, adapting, and remodeling existing buildings accounts for almost half of U.S. architecture billings. This award celebrates design interventions upon existing buildings that help achieve carbon reduction through creative reuse and adaptation.

Award of Honor

Arts and Letters Creative Co. (Richmond, Va.)

Architecture Firm: ARCHITECTUREFIRM
Owner: Arts & Letters Creative Co.
General Contractor: DPR Construction
Structural Engineer: Engineering Solutions
MEP Engineer: AKF Group LLC
Photographers: Kate Thompson, Palindrome Creative Co. and James Ewing, James Ewing Photography

Jury Comments: This creative workplace displayed a clear attitude toward reuse. The simple, white objects are juxtaposed against the raw, patinated, existing container — allowing you to understand both in a new way. It’s a clear and well-executed renovation strategy that simultaneously preserves and repurposes the building for its next life.

Award of Merit

Assembly (Norfolk, Va.)

Architecture Firm: Work Program Architects (WPA)
Owner: Assembly (Drew Ungvarsky)
General Contractor: Clancy & Theys Construction Company
Interior Design: Campfire+Co.
Photographer: Yuzhu Zheng Photography

Jury Comments: This coworking facility is organized around a new, open stairway that provides connection between a variety of work settings created on all levels of the historic building. The procession up and through the building is celebrated, while simple, light-filled interiors breathe new life into a former department store.

In the ARCHITECTURE category

The jury considers aesthetics, adherence to the client wishes, proven and projected building performance, and concept development during its deliberations.

Awards of Honor

Arthur J. Altmeyer Social Security Administration Building (Woodlawn, Md.)

Architect of Record: HGA
Design Architect: Snow Kreilich Architects
Owner: General Services Administration
General Contractor: Hensel Phelps
Façade Consultant: Studio NYL
Landscape Architect: OLIN
Civil Engineer: Sorba Engineering
Structural Engineering: Woods Peacock and HGA Structural
Mechanical Engineer: HGA Mechanical
Electrical Engineer: HGA Electrical
Fire Protection Engineer: Summit Fire Protection
Acoustics/AV/Building Security: Polysonics
Blast & Site Security: Hinman
Cost Estimating: Toscano Clements Taylor (TCT)
LEED Consultant: Sustainable Design Consulting, LLC
Enclosure Commissioning: WDP & Associates:
Photographer: Kendall McCaugherty, Hall Merrick McCaugherty Photographers

Jury Comments: A remarkable transformation of an unremarkable government building into a 21st-century workplace. The curtainwall system is well considered, beautifully detailed, and reductive — creating wonderful daylit spaces out of what was previously a warren of dark anonymous hallways. The exterior expression is subtle but engaging, creating a gradation when seen from the distance, and experienced as a slow and engaging change when approached on foot.

Capitol One Hall (Tysons, Va.)

Architecture Firm: HGA
Owner: Capital One Financial (Barry Mark, Representative)
General Contractor: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Photographer: Alan Karchmer

Jury Comments: A sophisticated performing arts facility inserted into a complex urban site. The public spaces and the “house” are warm and wonderfully detailed. The limited material palette provides cohesiveness to what is a very large building. The powerful pleated façade begets a striking reciprocal interior ceiling that together act as a counterpoint to the refined wood and steel jewel box that is the theater. The public rooftop park and garden are a wonderful bonus gift to the city.

R|refuge (Leonardtown, Md.)

Architecture Firm: Page/
Owner: withheld
General Contractor: J. Johnson Enterprises Inc.
Structural Engineer: Springpoint Structural
Civil Engineer: Soltesz
Photographer: Anice Hoachlander, StudioHDP

Jury Comments: This private residence reveals a clear, processional experience in which the remarkable waterfront view is gradually revealed to the visitor. The integration of the home into the landscape is impressive and extends the generative logic into the site. The sequence of the plan and site is tightly woven with the ecological program. Each design decision seems to be multivalent, performing multiple duties with minimal wasted effort. The material palette is restrained and durable without feeling cold, and the material choices help reinforce the clarity of the plan and the sustainability goals of the project.

Awards of Merit

AC Hotel by Marriott (Washington, D.C.)

Architecture Firm: WDG Architecture
Owner: OTO Development
General Contractor: Lend Lease (US) Construction, Inc.
Photographer: Joseph Romeo Photography

Jury Comments: This urban infill project uses an ingenious unitized enclosure system to activate the street wall and mediate between two disparate neighboring buildings. The result is something at home on the street but surprising and engaging. The emphasis on single window units subtly telegraphs the interior program to the exterior.

Edneyville Elementary School (Hendersonville, N.C.)

Architecture Firm: Clark Nexsen
Owner: Henderson County (John Mitchell, Representative)
General Contractor: Beverly-Grant Inc. / Barnhill
Civil Engineering: WGLA Engineering, PLLC
Landscape Engineering: Siteworks Studios
Structural Engineering: Kloesel Engineering, PA
Interior Design: Division 12 Design Studio
Photographer: Mark Herboth, Mark Herboth Photography

Jury Comments: This elementary school is simple and direct – inserting a splash of color without being patronizing. The clear, well-organized plan makes good use of the site, creating a variety of inviting learning environments at many scales. It harvests natural light from multiple sources in nearly every space, both direct and borrowed. The building’s performance is particularly commendable.

Virginia Beach Sports Center (Virginia Beach, Va.)

Architecture Firm: Hanbury and Clark Nexsen
Owner: City of Virginia Beach Public Works (Tom Nicholas, PE, Representative)
General Contractor: MEB General Contractors
Photographers: Dave Chance, Dave Chance Photography and Yuzhu Zheng Photography

Jury Comments: This very simple, direct, rigid-frame building creates a set of large, open, daylit recreation spaces. The spaces and framed views make theater of the activities taking place every day.  The design “moves” are limited but focused.  The result is maximum effect with very limited means.

VCU Health, Adult Outpatient Pavilion (Richmond, Va.)

Architecture Firm: HDR
Owner: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (Shirley Gibson, Representative)
General Contractor: Hourigan
Structural Engineering (parking/envelope): Walter P Moore
MEP Engineer: WSP
Civil Engineer: Draper Aden Assoc.
Curtain Wall: Ventana
Photographer: Dan Schwalm, HDR and Quentin Penn-Hollar, QPH Photo, LLC

Jury Comments: This large, programmatically complex building utilizes very simple variations in the curtainwall to express the individual program elements. These create subtle but engaging differences in the surface qualities without fracturing the character of the shape. The limited palette of materials and well-proportioned composition create a cohesive form at home in its context. The golden mesh is a comprehensive design move that accomplishes multiple goals. It covers the garage, defines and makes a grand entry, and creates a surprising ethereal surface quality.

In the HISTORIC PRESERVATION category

The historic preservation category focuses specifically on excellence in strategies, tactics, and technologies that advance the art, craft, and science of preserving historically significant buildings and sites. The jury takes into consideration adherence to local, state, and national criteria for historic preservation.

Award of Honor

Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall (Washington, D.C.)

Architecture Firm: Quinn Evans
Owner: Daughters of the American Revolution (Stephen Nordholt, Representative)
General Contractor: Christman Company
MEP Engineering:  Greenman Pedersen Inc. and Loring Consulting Engineers
Historic Paint Finishes Specialist: Artifex Ltd.
Structural Engineer: 1200 Architectural Engineers
Theatrical Lighting and Theater Planning: Schuler Shook
Lighting Design (Phase 1): Gary Steffy Lighting Design
Acoustical Consulting: Jaffee Holden
Life Safety Engineering: GHD
Photographer: Ron Blunt Photography

Jury Comments: This restoration of a large historic meeting space seamlessly integrates lighting and mechanical systems to preserve the building and create a modern meeting venue. The historic spaces are brought back to “like-new” condition with a lighting strategy that transforms them into something entirely new.

Award of Merit

Antler House Restoration (East Hampton, N.Y.)

Architecture Firm: Two Street Studio
Owners: Chris Fisher and Blair Moritz
Contractor: CCI Construction Consultants
Interior Designer: Logan Killen Interiors + Blair Moritz
Photographer: Ashok Sinha

Jury Comments: A truly quirky and weird home had been stripped of its character by decades of ill-fated “improvements.” This restoration returns the home’s “hippie-coolness” in a very unapologetic fashion and creates a sympathetic addition. The interiors are consistent with the spirit of the home.  

 

In the INTERIOR DESIGN category

Interior design projects are judged on mastery of composition, functionality, material and color palettes, and well-integrated adherence to the highest levels of accessibility, health and safety, environmental, and occupant-comfort considerations, standards, and regulations.

Award of Honor

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (Washington, D.C.)

Executive Architect: OTJ Architects
Design Architect: Mecanoo
Owner: District of Columbia Public Library
General Contractor: Smoot Construction and Gilbane Building Company
Photographer: Trent Bell and Robert Benson Photography

Jury Comments: This interior reconsiders the Miesian masterpiece. The design identifies the existing building’s strengths and weaknesses and takes it into the present and the future. The addition of the sinuous stairs is a bold celebration of the inhabitants and a subtle criticism of the existing structure. Some of the original lighting and material strategies are maintained and extended to link the new

Award of Merit

Bill Richards Center for Healing (Rockville, Md.)

Architecture Firm: Gensler
Owner: Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Foundation
General Contractor: Deerfield Construction Group, Inc.
Photographer: Halkin Mason Photography

Jury Comments: This small, flexible interior accomplishes a lot by employing a limited set of tactics. The serpentine wood wall ties the interior together, shapes the public procession, and functionally screens equipment and clutter. Simple ceiling manipulations further subdivide the space and the use of indirect lighting gives a sense of breadth.

In the RESIDENTIAL DESIGN category

Aesthetic appeal and functionality are two long-established criteria for home design, as are affordability and resource efficiency. The jury looks at each submission in its totality toward meeting those goals.

Award of Honor

StoryBoard (Washington, D.C.)

Architecture Firm: KUBE architecture
Owner: Warmington Oppenheim Development
General Contractor: Warmington Oppenheim Development
Photographer: Anice Hoachlander

Jury Comments: This urban infill project ingeniously reinterprets the bay window to create a truly unique expression – at once sympathetic and new. The decision to recess the entries on both sides allows the façade to be disconnected from its neighbors, while clearly continuing the street wall. The new bay windows can be occupied, adding character to the interior spaces, and framing exterior views.

In the SMALL PROJECTS category

Design excellence can be achieved, no matter the size or scope of a project. These awards celebrate projects with modest budgets that have a substantial impact. Small Project Awards are given in three categories, offering opportunities for recognition to a wide range of project sizes and budgets. All projects must demonstrate design achievement, including how the project fits into its environment and how the project connects to the Framework for Design Excellence.

Award of Honor

Heirloom Farm Studio (location withheld)

Architecture Firm: Bushman Dreyfus Architects
Owner: withheld
Owner’s Design Representative: Ivy Naté
General Contractor: Element Construction
Photographer: Virginia Hamrick Photography

Jury Comments: This simple, almost archetypal structure is clad in a dark wooden exterior clearly juxtaposed against both the minimal white interior and the surrounding landscape. All the design decisions are focused and disciplined, resulting in something simultaneously abstract and familiar. A well-proportioned and beautifully crafted piece of work at home in the shadows beneath the tree line.

Award of Merit

Studio 6420 (location withheld)

Architecture Firm: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
Owner: withheld
General Contractor: Peterson & Collins, Inc.
Interior Design: Baron Gurney Interiors
Landscape Architect: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects
Photographer: Anice Hoachlander

Jury Comments: This small studio space and landscape employ a restrained set of tactics to shape both the exterior and interior space.  A common material palette ties the composition together. The car in the garage is likely more expensive than the garage that contains it – but equally as beautiful. A straightforward, well-detailed example of complex simplicity.