AIA Eastern Pennsylvania 2022 Design Award Winners & Submissions

The jurors felt that this project serves as a powerful response to one of our built environment’s most important sustainability issues – that of increasing urban density in the interest of economizing on land, infrastructure and most importantly, the carbon impact of automobile based urban sprawl.  The project offers a public-facing planning tool to address this major urban issue, along with its sociological impact.  Through this study, the function of a back alley is redefined as a legitimate residential street, giving new life and density to the “back-half” of neighborhood lots.  Infilling urban density defines the most sustainable implications of the project, but the jurors also noted the elegant attention to the residential Architecture it proposes, a factor that will be crucial in creating a genuine sense of neighborhood. Congratulations again to Borough Works, LLC!

The jury was immediately drawn to this project for its attention to detail and brilliant adaptive reuse of historic ornament.  Commenting on the fact that a one-story historic building had been reconstituted as a largely-new two-story structure, juror Frank Grauman proposed a rhetorical question: “When does such a radical modification of an historic building wind up benefiting the overall historic environment in which it is sited?” to which he answered, “When it’s this project.” The second story addition undoubtedly provides economic viability to sustain the building’s redevelopment.  But it does another very important thing.  Its new height holds the scale of the street far better than did the original building.  Pulling the street scale upwards engages the community from the ground up.  The relocation of the circle and sign into the new structure is an appreciated gesture to its history.  The glass infill creates a very appropriate joint with the neighboring older building.  Juror Larry Eighmy noted that in widening the sidewalk, the project replaced parked cars with urban landscaping.  These are several among the many “distinctive details” that add up to a wonderful outcome. Alloy5 also received the Overall Award of Excellence for this project. Congratulations to Alloy5!

Adaptive reuse usually connotes rescuing a sentimentally attractive, century-old structure.  The jurors thought it refreshing to see this deftly designed adaptation of a frankly unattractive former business office building from the mid-century, now in use as the equivalent of “old main” for Penn State’s Lehigh Valley Campus.  The addition, while physically sizeable, is small in the context of the original building’s footprint.  Nonetheless, it significantly improves the exterior, reframing the character of the building as a center of learning and a socially rich collegiate experience.  Housing traditional student union program elements he addition redefines the heart and pulse of the campus.  What was previously merely transactional becomes a richly interactive human experience. Congratulations to Spillman Farmer!

While the jurors appreciated the project’s new façade treatment, they did not interpret it as a classical example of historic preservation.  However, they were immediately drawn to the interior, particularly because of the way in which it beautifully exposes old material, such as the wood and iron framing,  and the exposed brick party walls. As an aside, public restrooms are seldom seen as contributing to the overall interior feel of a building.  This project is a clear exception, owing to the elegant exposed historic stone in this unlikely space.  Additionally, the skylight floods the lobby with natural light bringing cheer to the entire interior. Congratulations to Muhlenberg Greene!

This project consisted of multiple buildings and uses, but the jury particularly admired the redesign of the farmhouse.  While the renovation and addition of the home handsomely supports a contemporary lifestyle, the design retains the historic character of its original status as the home of a prosperous farmer. Congratulations to SCF Architecture!

This is an extraordinarily lively project, utterly appropriate to enlivening an appreciation of the Arts among its young users. The  jurors felt that it was the sort of thing that could ultimately make a big difference in the lives of Arts-oriented students.  Juror Frank Grauman  was particularly drawn to the library’s entry arch. He commented, “the entry arch is extraordinary; something you will remember from your childhood when you are in your eighties”. Given the colorful nature of the projects, the black ceiling was a brilliant and economical move, causing it to visually recede thereby allowing the rest of the colors to play. Working like a patchwork quilt, the carefully patterned carpet tile adds another layer of joy in an amazingly cost-effective way. The project reaffirms the Arts as an important aspect of education. Artefact was also awarded the People’s Choice Award for this project. Congrats to Artefact!

The Industry Partner Award is presented jointly to 4/4 Architecture and to their client, the Alliance for Building Communities. The jurors recognized this project as an important partnership between the architect and a non-profit organization that provides much needed housing. The architects took the trouble to develop a deeply personalized understanding of the physically disabled tenants’ individual needs. By carefully and economically tweaking their apartments, the project clearly makes a huge difference in their lives. Meanwhile, the Owner is recognized for taking the initiative to seek and provide funding for these essential and very personal requirements. Congratulations to 4/4 Architecture for cultivating this great project!

The Government Partner Award is presented to Breslin Architects for their partnership with the Allentown School District’s Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays Elementary School. The jury deeply admired the architects for designing such an engaging building within the context of the state’s Department of Education regulations, a setting that does not always provide a supportive environment for creativity and joy. This project elevates the typology of the public school and stands as a proud example for others to emulate. Congratulations to Breslin Architects for cultivating this great project.