The Arizona component of The American Institute of Architects announced the 2015 Design Award Winners, recognizing excellence in design, planning and construction of projects designed by AIA Arizona architects registered and licensed in the State of Arizona. Selected from 93 submissions, 28 recipients were recently honored at The Phoenix Art Museum.

The award recipients were chosen by a distinguished group of architects from San Francisco. The jury was chaired by Rosa Sheng, AIA; David Baker, FAIA; Joshua Aidlin, AIA and Dominique Price, AIA.

There are three levels of recognition: Honor, Merit and Citation. An Honor Award is the most prestigious, followed by Merit and Citation. The recipients are listed below.

2015 AIA Arizona Award Winners

2015 Urban & Regional Planning – Honor Award

According to the jury, “The curious and captivating organic form is a convincing anchor for the new city center. The renderings evoke a futuristic spirit, combined with a familiar, humane scale. The balance of green and hardscape creates a desirable “there” factor, a magnet for various scales of engagement and civic activity.”

  • Project Mesa City Center
  • Design Team Colwell Shelor, West 8, WEDDLE GILMORE black rock studio
  • Owner City of Mesa

2015 Interior Architecture – Honor Award

The jury commented on this project: “Manifesting culture and purpose in the physical environment; well executed in a clean, transparent manner with great attention to detail that is subtle but clearly shows a deference to the shutterfly in 3D. The celebration of raw exposed concrete is refined with the window wall and custom wood frames, the organized exposed conduit and ducting, the minimal glass cubes that form various meeting rooms – give cause for a 2nd or 3rd look, picking up new details and appreciation for craft each time.”

  • Project VCSO
  • Architect Debartolo Architects
  • Owner Visual Supply Company
  • Contractor Flory Construction

2015 Distinguished Building – Honor Award

Of this historic ASU landmark, the jury commented: “A clever and sophisticated modernization of this landmark that strengthens the legacy of this celebrated structure. The set back of the new exterior panelized curtain wall behind the triangular frames to leverage the energy performance and increased connection between residents and exterior views is brilliant. And the reconfiguration of the approach by raising the landscape to meet the entry and creative adjustments to the interior living spaces to foster community and social interaction are elegantly executed.”

  • Project Manzanita Hall Renovation
  • Architect Studio Ma, Inc.
  • Associate Architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz
  • Owner Arizona State University, The Arizona Board of Regents, American Campus Communities
  • Contractor Hardison/Downey Construction Inc.

2015 Distinguished Building – Honor Award

The jury said, “This project is the whole package. Aesthetically – The skillful marriage of old and new “west” culture – there is discerning restraint in the execution of refined forms and respectful use of regional materials. Sustainability – Thoughtful biomimetic investigation and re-interpretation of regional influences and materials – from the water capturing ribs of the cacti structure, to the practical craft of Native American basket weave reinterpreted as a facade that provides structural form, shade and lightness. Cost Responsibility – Proving that good design can be affordable.”

  • Project Scottsdale Museum of the West
  • Architect Studio Ma, Inc.
  • Associate Architect Cawley Architects
  • Owner City of Scottsdale
  • Contractor CORE Construction + LGE Design Build

2015 Distinguished Building – Honor Award

The jury commented: “While the program itself may be provocative of the current political discourse, the thoughtful layering of circulation scales between pedestrians and autos responds to the multi-functional demands of high efficiency and security.  The oasis of green buffer infuses humanity, a dignified sense of place for respite. The use of glass and perforated screens enhances indoor connection to natural light and views, while integrating highly sustainable features.”

  • Project Mariposa Land Port of Entry Expansion and Modernization
  • Architect Jones Studio, Inc.
  • Owner U. S. General Services Administration
  • Contractor Hensel Phelps

2015 Distinguished Building – Honor Award

Describing the project, the jury said: “A transformation of ordinary everyday architecture – a “rental property” into an extraordinary value proposition; combining artisanal attention to craft & detail while also being strategically thrifty brings quality “design within reach” to a younger clientele.

  • Project White Stone Studios
  • Design Architect Benjamin Hall Design
  • Record Architect 180 degrees inc.
  • Owner ABT Properties LLC
  • Contractor collaboration between 180 degrees inc. and Benjamin Hall Design

2015 Unbuilt Award – Merit Award

  • Project Desert Bridge Residence
  • Architect Chen + Suchart Studio
  • Owner Scott and Irene McMurray
  • Contractor David Mikes

2015 Unbuilt Award – Merit Award

  • Project Portal Spas
  • Architect WORKSBUREAU
  • Owner Al Ra’ldah Investment Company

2015 Unbuilt Award – Merit Award

  • Project RCCA Gridshell
  • Architect Christopher D. Trumble
  • Owner Ross Creek Centre for the Arts

2015 Distinguished Building – Merit Award

  • Project Bicycle Haüs
  • Architect Debartolo Architects
  • Owner Bicycle Haüs
  • Contractor R. J. Gurley

2015 Distinguished Building – Merit Award

  • Project Hashen Kehk Community Center
  • Architect Orcutt | Winslow
  • Owner Gila River Indian Community District 2
  • Contractor Arviso Okland Construction

2015 Distinguished Building – Merit Award

  • Project College Avenue Commons
  • Architect Gensler | Architekton
  • Owner Arizona State University
  • Contractor Okland Construction

2015 Urban & Regional Planning – Citation Award

  • Project Hance Park Master Plan
  • Design Team Weddle Gilmore, black rock studio, !melk Landscape Architecture, Floor Associates
  • Owner City of Phoenix

2015 Interior Architecture – Citation Award

  • Project 3256 Interior Renovation
  • Architect Chen + Suchart Studio
  • Owner Scott Mancuso and Rie Takahata
  • Contractor Verge Design:Build

2015 Interior Architecture – Citation Award

  • Project Falora
  • Architect Repp + Mclain Design and Construction
  • Owner Ari Shapiro
  • Contractor Repp + Mclain Design and Construction

2015 Interior Architecture – Citation Award

  • Project Reforma Cocina y Cantina
  • Architect Repp + Mclain Design and Construction
  • Owner Grant Krueger & Steve Stratigouleas Reforma LLC
  • Contractor Repp + Mclain Design and Construction

2015 Distinguished Building – Citation Award

  • Project Sun Devil Fitness Complex
  • Architect Studio Ma, Inc.
  • Associate Architect Sasaki Associates
  • Owner Arizona State University and The Arizona Board of Regents
  • Contractor Gilbane Building Company

2015 Distinguished Building – Citation Award

  • Project AzCA Playground
  • Architect Christopher D. Trumble
  • Owner Arizona’s Children Association
  • Contractor Drachman Design-Build Coalition, Inc.

2015 Distinguished Building – Citation Award

  • Project Farmer Studios II
  • Architect Architekton
  • Owner Architekton
  • Contractor Bistany Architecture & Construction

2015 Distinguished Building – Citation Award

  • Project Yerger Residence
  • Architect Chen + Suchart Studio
  • Owner Fred & Michelle Yerger
  • Contractor Creative Concrete and Masonry

Arizona Public Service & Salt River Project 2015 Energy/Sustainable Award

  • Project Integrated Education Building at GateWay Community College
  • Architect SmithGroupJJR
  • Owner Maricopa County Community College District
  • Contractor CORE Construction

2015 AIA Arizona Special Award Winners:

2015 Goodwin Award

  • Project: Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park Addition + Renovation
  • Architect Gensler
  • Owner City of Mesa
  • Contractor W E O’Neil Construction

2015 Goodwin Award

  • Project Arizona State University College Avenue Commons
  • Architect Gensler | Architekton
  • Owner Arizona State University
  • CMAR Okland Construction

2015 Twenty-Five Year Award

  • Project Arroyo House
  • Architect: Line and Space, LLC

2015 Associate Award

Doug Nielsen, Associate AIA

2015 AIA10 Award

Dan Clevenger, AIA

2015 Educator Award

John Meunier, AIA

2015 AIA Arizona College of Fellows Chairman’s Award

Patrick Panetta, AIA