WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2011 -- Today, the U.S. General Services Administration recognized the best in public architecture and civilian federal workplaces at the 2010 GSA Design Awards in Washington, D.C. This year's 11 award winners showcase the federal government's commitment to cutting-edge architectural design and its focus on sustainability.
"GSA is working hard to change the look and feel of federal buildings," said GSA Administrator Martha Johnson. "We are making the investments now to save energy and taxpayer money in the future. The winning projects mark not just innovation in design, but also, rapid progress toward our nation's sustainability goals."
The biennial GSA Design Awards celebrate the best federal civilian workplaces, including land ports of entry, federal courthouses, and office buildings. The winners are selected by a jury of private sector design and building professionals.
"Through collaboration with some of the best architects and engineers in the country, we are creating a welcoming and sustainable federal presence in communities across the country," said GSA Commissioner of Public Buildings Robert A. Peck. "GSA's Design Awards celebrate the energy and creativity of everyone who works tirelessly to deliver the best in public architecture."
The 2010 GSA Design Award winners are:
- United States Land Port of Entry, Warroad, Minn. – ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN HONORS; CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CITATIONS
- United States Land Port of Entry, Massena, N.Y. – ARCHITECTURE AND ART CITATIONS
- United States Land Port of Entry, Calais, Maine – ARCHITECTURE CITATION
- Historic District of Columbia Courthouse, Washington, D.C. – PRESERVATION CITATION
- United States Courthouse, Cedar Rapids, Iowa – PRESERVATION CITATION
- Federal Parking Garage, San Juan, Puerto Rico – ON-THE-BOARDS ARCHITECTURE CITATION
- United States Land Port of Entry, Van Buren, Maine – ON-THE-BOARDS ARCHITECTURE CITATION
- Mariposa Land Port of Entry, Nogales, Ariz. – ON-THE-BOARDS COMMUNICATIONS CITATION
- Peter W. Rodino Federal Building modernization, Newark, N.J. – ON-THE-BOARDS ENGINEERING CITATION
- Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building modernization, Jackson, Miss. – ON-THE-BOARDS URBANISM
- United States Courthouse, San Diego, Calif. – ON-THE-BOARDS URBANISM
For more information about the GSA Design Excellence Awards, visit gsa.gov/designawards.
As the federal government's workplace solutions provider, the U.S. General Services Administration works to foster an effective, sustainable and transparent government for the American people. GSA's expertise in government workplace solutions include:
* Effective management of government assets including more than 9,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 210,000 vehicles in the federal fleet, and preservation of historic federal properties;
* Leveraging the government's buying power through responsible acquisition of products and services making up more than 11 percent of the government's total procurement dollars;
* Providing innovative technology solutions to enhance government efficiency and increase citizen engagement; and,
* Promoting responsible use of federal resources through development of governmentwide policies ranging from federal travel to property and management practices.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
AIANY partners with New York's building department to launch design competition for safer, more appealing sidewalk shed
The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) and the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIANY) today announced the launch of the urbanSHED International Design Competition with support from the Alliance for Downtown New York, ABNY Foundation, Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section (IESNYC), and the New York Building Congress.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declines in 48 states in August compared to last year
Construction employment saw significant declines in all but two states this August compared to last year according to an analysis of new state-by-state employment figures released today by the federal government. The analysis, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, however did show that the number of states gaining construction jobs increased slightly in August compared to July 2009.
| Aug 11, 2010
Stimulus funding helps get NOAA project off the ground
The award-winning design for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) new Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) replacement laboratory saw its first sign of movement on Sept 15 with a groundbreaking ceremony held in La Jolla, Calif. The $102 million project is funded primarily by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), resulting in a rapidly advanced construction plan for the facility.
| Aug 11, 2010
New book on ‘Green Workplace’ by HOK’s Leigh Stringer, a BD+C 40 under 40 winner
The new book The Green Workplace is a comprehensive guide that demonstrates how green businesses can reduce costs, improve recruitment and retention, increase shareholder value, and contribute to a healthier natural environment.
| Aug 11, 2010
BIM adoption rate exceeds 80% among nation’s largest AEC firms
The nation’s largest architecture, engineering, and construction companies are on the BIM bandwagon in a big way, according to Building Design+Construction’s premier Top 170 BIM Adopters ranking, published as part of the 2009 Giants 300 survey. Of the 320 AEC firms that participated in Giants survey, 83% report having at least one BIM seat license in house, and nearly a quarter (23%) have 100-plus seats.
| Aug 11, 2010
PCA partners with MIT on concrete research center
MIT today announced the creation of the Concrete Sustainability Hub, a research center established at MIT in collaboration with the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) Research & Education Foundation.
| Aug 11, 2010
Study explains the financial value of green commercial buildings
Green building may be booming, especially in the Northwest, but the claims made for high-performance buildings have been slow to gain traction in the financial community. Appraisers, lenders, investors and brokers have found it difficult to confirm the value of high-performance green features and related savings. A new study of office buildings identifies how high-performance green features and systems can increase the value of commercial buildings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index flat in May, according to AIA
After a slight decline in April, the Architecture Billings Index was up a tenth of a point to 42.9 in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index drops to lowest level since June
Another stall in the recovery for the construction industry as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped to its lowest level since June. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI rating was 41.7, down slightly from 43.1 in July. This score indicates a decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).