April 22, 2014

In honor of Earth Day  – AIA-NJ would like to highlight this years Design Award winner in the Historic Preservation Category.

VITETTA Receives AIA-NJ Honor Award for Historical Preservation Project at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, N.J.

Mount Laurel, N.J. Firm Leads New Environmental Mission, Earning LEED Certification for Historic Farm’s Orientation Center and Orchid Range The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has awarded Philadelphia, Pa.-based design firm VITETTA Architects and Engineers with an Honor Award in the Historical Preservation category for its efficient design and adaptive reuse of the Duke Farms, a 120-year old estate and public park in Hillsborough, N.J. “VITETTA’s work on Duke Farms typifies the AIA’s mission when it comes to historical preservation of valuable community staples,” said Kurt Kalafsky, AIA, president of AIA-NJ. “The firm has infused the site with 21st century green infrastructure while retaining its rich 120-year history and character.” VITETTA’s undertaking at Duke Farms consisted of two LEED-certified rehabilitation projects: the adaptive reuse of a Farm Barn, the site’s main orientation center, and the renovation of a Lord and Burnham conservatory structure that serves as a learning place with brand new orchid display gardens. As part of the Duke Farms’ new environmental mission, the project includes a 640-killowatt ground-mounted solar array of 3,120 panels designed to provide 100 percent of the electrical power for the orientation center, along with 56 geothermal wells to aid in heating and cooling for surrounding offices, and an onsite constructed wetlands wastewater treatment plant. Developed by James Buchanan Duke in 1893, Duke Farms is home to several public exhibits, including indoor and outdoor display gardens with a variety of noteworthy trees, exotic plants, and educational displays. Since reopening in 2012, more than 500,000 guests have visited the Farms. “We’re excited to receive this prestigious award from the New Jersey chapter of AIA,” said Nan Gutterman, project manager at VITETTA. “ It is believed that this is the first historic glass structure in the United States to receive LEED Platinum certification, which is an especially significant achievement.” 

“I want to specifically thank Michael Holleman, who originally designed the project, but passed away before its completion. It was his vision and collaboration with Duke Farms that made the project a success.”

The AIA-NJ Annual Design Awards program recognizes architectural projects that exhibit design excellence in one of four categories: Open (meant for any building type), Residential, Historic Preservation and Interior Architecture. Projects are further designated as either Built or Un-built. To be eligible, projects must be either located in New Jersey or designed by an AIA-NJ architect. Submitted projects are evaluated during the organization’s annual Design Conference by a group of distinguished architects from throughout the country.

By admin | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Architecture in NJ, Emerging Professionals, Environment, NJ Architect Newsletter | Tagged: design award, design awards, Duke Farms, Earth Day 2014, historic preservation, VITETTA | Comments (0)