The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is recognizing exceptional designs with its 2021 Small Project Awards. Complete details for each of the awarded projects can be reviewed on AIA’s website.
Now in its 18th year, the AIA Small Project Awards program—established by the Small Project Design (SPD) Knowledge Community—recognizes small-project practitioners for the high quality of their work. The program also aims to raise awareness about the value and design excellence that architects can bring to projects, no matter their size or scope. Award recipients are categorized in three groups:
- Category 1 - Small project construction, an architectural object, work of environmental art or an architectural design element that costs up to $150,000 in construction.
- Category 2 - Small project construction that could cost up to $1,500,000 in construction.
- Category 3 - Small project construction, an architectural object, work of environmental art or an architectural design that is under 5,000 square feet.
The following are recipients of this year’s Small Project Awards by category:
Category 1:
- Casa de Baño (Bathhouse), Temascaltepec de González, Mexico | Robert Hutchison Architecture & JSa Arquitectura
- Community First! Village Micro House #710, Austin, Texas | McKinney York Architects
- Peach Hut, Henan, China | ATELIER XI
Category 2:
- Celebration Park, Naples, Florida | David Corban Architect, pllc
- Fraesfield Trailhead at the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale | SmithGroup
- Pemberton Residence, Austin, Texas | Alterstudio Architecture
- Portage Bay Float Home, Seattle | Studio DIAA
- Xero Studio, Phoenix | Studio Ma, Inc.
Category 3:
- Gillson Park Beach House, Chicago | Woodhouse Tinucci Architects LLC
- Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center, Eugene, Oregon | Architecture Building Culture
- Society's Cage, Washington | SmithGroup
Visit AIA’s website for more information on the Small Project Awards program.
Related Stories
| Jan 19, 2011
Industrial history museum gets new home in steel plant
The National Museum of Industrial History recently renovated the exterior of a 1913 steel plant in Bethlehem, Pa., to house its new 40,000-sf exhibition space. The museum chose VOA Associates, which is headquartered in Chicago, to complete the design for the exhibit’s interior. The exhibit, which has views of five historic blast furnaces, will feature artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution to illustrate early industrial America.
| Jan 19, 2011
Baltimore mixed-use development combines working, living, and shopping
The Shoppes at McHenry Row, a $117 million mixed-use complex developed by 28 Walker Associates for downtown Baltimore, will include 65,000 sf of office space, 250 apartments, and two parking garages. The 48,000 sf of main street retail space currently is 65% occupied, with space for small shops and a restaurant remaining.
| Jan 19, 2011
Biomedical research center in Texas to foster scientific collaboration
The new Health and Biomedical Sciences Center at the University of Houston will facilitate interaction between scientists in a 167,000-sf, six-story research facility. The center will bring together researchers from many of the school’s departments to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. The facility also will feature an ambulatory surgery center for the College of Optometry, the first of its kind for an optometry school. Boston-based firms Shepley Bulfinch and Bailey Architects designed the project.
| Jan 19, 2011
San Diego casino renovations upgrade gaming and entertainment
The Sycuan Casino in San Diego will get an update with a $27 million, 245,000-sf renovation. Hnedak Bobo Group, Memphis, Tenn., and Cleo Design, Las Vegas, drew design inspiration from the historic culture of the Sycuan tribe and the desert landscape, creating a more open space with better circulation. Renovation highlights include a new “waterless” water entry feature and new sports bar and grill, plus updates to gaming, poker, off-track-betting, retail, and bingo areas. The local office of San Francisco-based Swinerton Builders will provide construction services.
| Jan 19, 2011
Extended stay hotel aims to provide comfort of home
Housing development company Campus Apartments broke ground on a new extended stay hotel that will serve the medical and academic facilities in Philadelphia’s University City, including the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The 11,000-sf hotel will operate under Hilton’s Homewood Suites brand, with 136 suites with full kitchens and dining and work areas. A part of the city’s EnergyWorks loan program, the project aims for LEED with a green roof, low-flow fixtures, and onsite stormwater management. Local firms Alesker & Dundon Architects and GC L.F. Driscoll Co. complete the Building Team.
| Jan 19, 2011
New Fort Hood hospital will replace aging medical center
The Army Corps of Engineers selected London-based Balfour Beatty and St. Louis-based McCarthy to provide design-build services for the Fort Hood Replacement Hospital in Texas, a $503 million, 944,000-sf complex partially funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The firm plans to use BIM for the project, which will include outpatient clinics, an ambulance garage, a central utility plant, and three parking structures. Texas firms HKS Architects and Wingler & Sharp will participate as design partners. The project seeks LEED Gold.
| Jan 19, 2011
Museum design integrates Greek history and architecture
Construction is under way in Chicago on the National Hellenic Museum, the nation’s first museum devoted to Greek history and culture. RTKL designed the 40,000-sf limestone and glass building to include such historic references as the covered walkway of classical architecture and the natural wood accents of Byzantine monasteries. The museum will include a research library and oral history center, plus a 3,600-sf rooftop terrace featuring three gardens. The project seeks LEED Silver.
| Jan 19, 2011
Architecture Billings Index jumped more than 2 points in December
On the heels of its highest mark since 2007, the Architecture Billings Index jumped more than two points in December. The American Institute of Architects reported the December ABI score was 54.2, up from a reading of 52.0 the previous month.
| Jan 19, 2011
Large-Scale Concrete Reconstruction Solid Thinking
Driven by both current economic conditions and sustainable building trends, Building Teams are looking more and more to retrofits and reconstruction as the most viable alternative to new construction. In that context, large-scale concrete restoration projects are playing an important role within this growing specialty.