Honor Awards: DESIGN

The AIA Illinois Honor Awards program is the only awards competition in the nation to focus on projects and people that closely adhere to the AIA’s Principles of Livable Communities. 

THE CAPITOL AWARD The highest state honor given for a transformational project - one designed for the human experience that works towards cultural transformation

2021: Tierra Linda

Located along the 606 Trail in Chicago, Tierra Linda represents LUCHA’s commitment to sustainable and affordable housing. Tierra Linda provides 45 affordable apartments in the rapidly gentrifying Humboldt Park and Logan Square neighborhoods. The project has pioneered the first multi-family Passive House residence constructed in Chicago.

FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS For Projects 5,000 SF & Over

2021: Rolling Knolls

The firm, along with Conservation Design Forum (now ECT), worked with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to master plan the redevelopment of a former private golf course into a new forest preserve site to include fresh, publicly accessible outdoor programming (disc golf, archery, sledding, nature trails, etc.). As part of this masterplan, the former golf course clubhouse and restaurant was converted into a new all-electric welcoming and way-finding center for the site.

FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS For Projects Under 5,000 SF

2021: Carroll Center Renovation Addition

The Park District of Oak Park is a leading proponent of environmentalism in the community. For this addition and renovation project, pursuing PHIUS Source Zero fulfilled their ecological mission while qualifying for an ICECF Zero Energy Building Grant. Design began in the Fall of 2018, and construction began in July 2019, with completion a few months into the pandemic, June 2020. Phius Source Zero Certification was achieved in March 2021.

GREATEST IMPACT AWARD Project Construction Value $5 Million and Above

2021: CTA Garfield Gateway Station

The Garfield Elevated Station, one of the oldest stations in the country, was built in 1892 to serve the World's Columbian Exposition. The stop includes two station houses - one non-active (original/historic), and one active. This renovation project creates a new iconic gateway to the Washington Park community in Chicago's south side with the restoration and re-purposing of the historic station house as a community-based arts facility, and major renovation of the active station to benefit 475,000 riders, bicyclists and pedestrians while supporting the ongoing revitalization of the community.

GREATEST IMPACT AWARD Project Construction Value Below $5 Million

2021: Whitney M. Young, Jr. Branch Library

Located in the Chatham neighborhood of Chicago, the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Branch Library held prominence as a library and local community center, but wasn't an efficient space. The team approached the project with the goals of preserving this existing urban center, adding to it, and fostering a welcoming environment for community engagement. They worked to cater to the neighborhood’s identity and respond to the community’s requests to revitalize the library.

EXCELLENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD Project Construction Value Below $5 Million

2021: Fire Restoration of 1890's Orland P. Bassett House

The afternoon of April 11, 2018 the 119 year old historic Orland P. Bassett house caught ablaze. In a town with historic tear-downs happening all too often, the owners made the decision to restore the home that has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood for decades. Contractors were assembled and the remaining intact details of the home were documented, removed and preserved. Fireplace mantels, trim details, paneling doors/ windows, etc. were stored for later reuse. The home was taken down to the studs and rebuilt from the inside out.

EXCELLENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD Project Construction Value $5 Million and Above

2021: Cook County Hospital

A design-build collaboration carefully preserved, restored, and adapted the former hospital building to meet the changing needs of the neighborhood with a new hotel, food hall, offices and community spaces. The design team took advantage of the building's relatively thin footprint to configure 210 hotel rooms filled with natural light. Some of the more unusual spaces within the former hospital, including lofty operating rooms, were transformed into distinctive guest rooms. More than 4,500 pieces of terra cotta on the facade were replaced and inside, the lobby was restored to its original height of 25 feet. The first of several phases of redevelopment, the restored Cook County Hospital building is once again a keystone for a vibrant, mixed-use Illinois Medical District and provides much-needed amenities to support medical workers, patients, and their families.

EXCELLENCE IN MASTER PLANNING AWARD

2021: Twin Embraces: An Integrated and Community-Focused Approach for the Obama Presidential Center

Twin Embraces draws historic Washington Park and its adjacent, underserved neighborhood together in a dynamic synthesis of urban planning around the future Obama Presidential Center. It aims to demonstrate how strategic site selection and a more inclusive planning approach can benefit all participants: the surrounding community, the University of Chicago, the Obama Foundation, the natural and built environments of the South Side, and the socioeconomic advancement of the city at-large. 

Current plans for the Obama Presidential Center, regrettably situated within Olmsted’s historic Jackson Park, inflict profound damage on the park and surrounding neighborhoods. In the spirit of the 44th President’s community organizing, Twin Embraces reveals the virtually limitless potential of the alternate site, boasting broad community backing, extraordinary opportunities to improve mass transit, greater potential for economic growth, and far fewer practical limitations. Ultimately, the combination of inherent potential, historic synergies, strategic planning, respect, and a bolder architectural presence can yield an Obama Presidential Center that becomes an essential - and perpetual - contributor to the renewed vitality of the South Side.

EXCELLENCE IN INTERIORS AWARD For Projects 5,000 SF and Above

2021: The Night Ministry

The Night Ministry’s new home is an uplifting oasis for young adults facing adversity. Three stories of a 1910 heavy-timber manufacturing building, known for its large murals covering its facades, are renovated to support the growing needs of the nonprofit organization that provides housing, healthcare, and human connection to those experiencing homelessness. Design began in the Fall of 2018; the facility opened amidst the global health crisis in August of 2020.

EXCELLENCE IN INTERIORS AWARD For Projects Under 5,000 SF

2021: Ardmore House

Ardmore House by Kwong Von Glinow is a a development project grounded with every decision in the belief that design matters - and is the foundation of successful and healthy living environments and communities. The architecture of Ardmore House is designed around the primary value that architecture can completely engage with an urban context expressed by the concept of “living openly.” The design of the home optimistically confronts a context that is traditionally undesirable. Bordering an urban alleyway on a traditional Chicago lot, Ardmore House flips the traditional residential section and arrays bedrooms on the first floor while living spaces are placed on the second level. The design of the facade calibrates the relationship between privacy and exposure in this urban site and shifts the facade hierarchy from the street to the alleyway, the most urban of the contexts.

PREVIOUS AIA ILLINOIS DESIGN AWARD RECIPIENTS

LOUIS SULLIVAN PRIZE

2020    University of Chicago Keller Center

2019    Unity Temple Restoration

2017    Chicago Public Library Chinatown Branch

2016    Harper Court by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
2015    Northerly Island Framework Plan by SmithGroupJJR
2014    Great Lakes Vision Plan by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
2013    Randolph Tower by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
2012    Lambert - St. Louis International Airport Main Terminal Vault Renovation &

            Restoration by exp. 
2010    Contemporaine by Perkins + Will
2009    Yannell Net Zero Energy Residence by Farr Associates
2008    Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies by Krueck & Sexton Architects
2007    Springfield Union Station Rehabilitation by White & Borgognoni Architects, P.C.
2006    Hardrock Hotel Chicago by White & Borgognoni Architects, P.C.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AWARD For Connection to Environment

2020    Carter Woodson Regional Chicago Public Library Restoration

2019    Chicago Public Library, West Loop Branch

2017    Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center by TBDArchitects

2016    University of Chicago Saieh Hall by Ann Beha Architects
2015    Intrinsic School by Wheeler Kearns Architects
2014    City of Aurora, John C. Dunham Pavillion at RiverEdge Park by Muller & Muller, Ltd.
2013    Dallas City Performance Hall by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
2012    Hidden Oaks Nature Center by Wight & Company
2010    Hyde Park Bank Investment Real Estate Loan Processing Center by Florian Architects
2009    Champaign Public Library by Ross Barney Architects
2008    Grayslake North High School by FGM Architects
2007    Levy Senior Center by Ross Barney Architects
2006    Millenium Park Bicycle Station by Muller & Muller, Ltd. 

MIES VAN DER ROHE AWARD For Innovation

2020    95th / Dan Ryan CTA Station

2019    Washington / Wabash CTA Station

2017    DeKalb's Haish Memorial Public Library

2016    CTA Cermak McCormick Place Station by Carol Ross Barney
2015    William Jones College Preparatory High School by Perkins+Will
2014    The Genevieve and Wayne Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church

            by Gensler Chicago
2013    Chicago Law Firm by 4240 Architecture, Inc.
2012    North Central College, Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center

            by Loebl Schlossman & Hackl
2010    College of DuPage Technology Education Center by DeStefano Partners
2009    SOS Children's Village Community Center by Studio Gang Architects
2008    Museum of Science and Industry Conservation and Relocation of the U-505

            Submarine by Goettsch Partners
2007    Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center by Wight & Company
2006    Heart Hospital at Swedish American by PERKINS + WILL

CROMBIE TAYLOR AWARD For Preservation

2020    Chicago Union Station Hall Restoration

2019    The Newberry Library

2017    Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative

2016    Chicago Athletic Association renovation by Hartshorne Plunkard Architects
2015    Grove Apartments by Weese Langley Weese
2014    Harvest Commons Apartments by Landon Bone Baker Architects

2013    Hairpin Lofts and The Arts Center - Logan Square, Avondale

            by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture

2012    Sullivan Center by Harboe Architects
2010    The Palmer House Restoration by Loebl Schlossman & Hackl

2009    Chicago Cultural Center Preston Bradley Hall Restoration by Holabird & Root LLC

2008    Krause Music Store and Studio V by Wheeler Kearns Architects
2007    The Illinois State Capitol: Renovation of the House & Senate Chambers

            by Vinci | Hamp Architects, Inc.

2006    Metropolitan Capital Bank by OWP/P

DANIEL BURNHAM AWARD For Master Planning

2020    Chicago Park District, South Lakefront Framework Plan

2019    Planned Agricultural District (PAD): A Vision for West Garfield

2017    Master Plan for Woodlawn Park

2016    Positioning Pullman by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
2015    Bloomingdale Trail Framework Plan by Ross Barney Architects    
2014    Sustainable Chicago 2015 Action Agenda by Shaw Environmental Design

            Solutions of Illinois, LLC
2013    Chicago Central Area DeCarbonization Plan by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill

            Architecture
2012    Navy Pier Centennial Plan by Gensler Chicago
2010    Lakeshore East by Loewenberg Architects / SOM
2009    Holy Family Ministries Center by FGM Architects
2008    Mexicantown Master Plan, Mercado, Plaza + Retail/Office Block

            by Teng & Associates, Inc.
2007    Wabash Memorial Plaza by Ross Barney Architects
2006    The University Villiage at UIC by Wight & Company