Amazing Birmingham AIA winners honored at Architecture Design Awards
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The Birmingham Chapter of the American Institute of Architects announced the winners of the 2021 AIA Birmingham Design Awards on July 14. Several Birmingham based projects are being recognized for their innovative design and excellence. We’re here to highlight a few of these talented Birmingham AIA winners that call our city home.
What is the AIA?
Founded in 1965, the Birmingham Chapter of the American Institute of Architects consists of approximately 330 licensed architects, interns and affiliates. AIA Birmingham’s goal is to promote good design and quality in the practice of architecture. They hope to help shape neighborhoods, build communities and improve quality of life.
The annual design awards exist to recognize excellent architectural design by member architects.
Awards Presented
- Honor Award: presented to the highest level of recognition, presented to a project that exceeds the criteria set forth by the jury
- Merit Award: presented to a project that meets the jury’s requirements for design excellence
- Citation Award: presented to a project which has specific features the jury felt compelled to recognize
- People’s Choice Award: the public picks the winner by voting online, which received more than 2,000 votes.
Honor Award-Jeni’s Ice Cream Pavilion
Created by David Baker Architects, the Jeni’s Ice Cream Pavilion is praised by judges for its small but mighty design. It is a simple yet refined structure. People always want to hang out here. For these reasons it will receive the Honor Award and be on of our Birmingham AIA winners.
Merit Award-The New Ideal
This old abandoned retail office is now a new structure to live and work in thanks to Creature Architectural Design. It wins the Merit Award due to using to the original building and the effortless add-ons to create this modern building.
- Location: 1801 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Citation Award-One Pratt Park
One Pratt Park was created by the Design Initiative. It brings a new community center and park to a neighborhood area ravaged by tornadoes in 2011. It received the Citation Award for its rigorous planning with the community and restorative nature to fill a huge need in the area.
People’s Choice Award-United Way Building C & Campus Renovation
Created by Studio 2H Design, LLC, The United Way Building C & Campus Renovation is an example of UWCA’s ongoing goal to remake themselves into a united facility.
They have state-of-the-art amenities to best serve their on-campus non-profits like Meals on Wheels, Crisis Center and SANE. As a result of heir good work and the beautiful new design, this building will receive the People’s Choice Award.
What is your favorite architectural structure in Birmingham? Let us know by tagging us on social @bhamnow!
