
AIAS and Kawneer Announce Fourth Annual National Student Design
Competition Winners
March 4, 2010
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and Kawneer
Company Inc. recently announced the winners of the fourth annual
national student design competition. The competition, sponsored
by Kawneer and administered by AIAS, challenged students to learn
about building materials, specifically architectural aluminum building
products and systems, in the design of a municipal courthouse. Ball
State University's Eric Laine was awarded first place and $2,500
for his design, "Justice Center."
The competition received submissions from 46 different schools and
universities throughout the United States, with at least 11 universities
adopting the competition as a class project. Participants were required
to research, respond to and highlight the unique aspects of designing
a municipal courthouse that embodied the surrounding community's
history, religious and secular beliefs, and cultural differences.
Additionally, participants were challenged to utilize green building
principles throughout the design process, including consideration
of the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design building standards. Competition objectives included developing
knowledge about materials, products and installation, as well as
creating a secure facility that looks to fulfill the civic, cultural
and service needs of the community - today and in the future.
Submissions were evaluated based on ingenuity and originality, as
well as appropriate use of sustainable products and design clarity.
The designer (or team) was able to select any site from one of five
metropolitan areas across the U.S.: Atlanta, Chicago, Portland,
San Diego or Washington.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
First Place: Eric Laine - Ball State University, "Justice
Center"
Laine's design revealed a building that was not only iconic, but
provided a real landmark feel for the City of Portland. His creative
use of space and organization throughout the floor plan offered
a combination of aesthetics and functionality. The courthouse incorporated
Kawneer's 1600 Wall System® curtainwall, which was selected
by Laine for its stability and flexibility. The curtainwall was
modified to include horizontal louvers on all exposed southern glazing,
designed to be deep enough to prohibit solar angles in the summer
months yet shallow enough to allow the benefits of solar heat gain
in the winter months.
Second Place: Hugh Bitzer - University of Oregon, "Visions
of Justice"
With a vision of transparency, this innovative and "mature"
design was inspired by the desire to expose and understand the judicial
system. Using a range of Kawneer curtainwall and sunshade systems,
Bitzer was able to create a dynamic outer skin that incorporated
daylighting and sustainability.
Third place: Greg Hittler - Ball State University, "HeterogeneousStitching"
Non-traditional in its use of materials, this uniquely designed
courthouse had a visual continuity that established its presence
as a symbol of authority for the city. Hittler's design investigated
the idea of curtainwall, combining heavy and light elements. Jurors
commented on the mature feel of the space, as well as the circulation
plan that demonstrated a level of creative investigation.
The jury awarded Honorable Mentions to Lauren Comes and James Moehring
(Ball State University, "Portland Municipal Courthouse"),
Kelly Goffiney (Ball State University, "Convergence")
and Jessie Rabideau and Jonathon Meier (Ball State University, "Transformation").
The winning projects will be featured at the 2010 AIA National
Convention and Design Exposition in Miami, June 10 - 12, 2010. The
top three submissions will also be featured in the Spring 2010 issue
of Crit, the Journal of the AIAS. In addition, the AIAS chapter
at each school will receive a cash grant.
CLICK HERE
to view the winning projects.
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