AIA-NJ Celebrates National Architecture Week

April 7, 2014

As part of a national event that showcases architecture’s influence on daily life, the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is working to increase attention to the role architects play as a force for positive change in our communities and to elevate the public’s appreciation of design. Held from April 6 through 12, National Architecture Week is a public awareness campaign showcasing the innovative and talented architects who’ve made positive contributions to our communities and society in general. National Architecture Week is annually held during the birthday week of our nation’s first president/architect, Thomas Jefferson (April 12).

This year’s National Architecture Week is highlighted by several events taking place on social media platforms. Throughout the week, AIA National will post links to videos on Twitter and Facebook from several award-winning architects sharing what inspires them about architecture. You can follow the Twitter activity by using the hashtag #archweek14.

The Architecture Is Awesome contest on Instagram will use the social networking platform to showcase architects’ favorite designs and encourage architecture fans to share their thoughts and engage with like-minded professionals during the week. Instagram users will also have an opportunity to win prize gift cards in the Architecture Is Awesome sweepstakes by uploading tagged images of their favorite local architectural sites. Five lucky winners will be selected based on what is considered to be the best images of architecture. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 16, on Twitter.

Occurring simultaneously in several markets will be the premier of the PBS series, Cool Spaces! The Best New Architecture. The program will showcase some of the 21st century’s most provocative and innovative public space architecture in North America. Each hour-long episode is organized around a central building typology theme — such as Performance Spaces or Art Spaces — and profiles three buildings. Learn more about this program and when it will be airing in your market here: http://www.coolspaces.tv/tvshow/on-air-schedule-2/

Residents of New Jersey can take part in National Architecture Week by learning about the architects and architectural projects that are significantly influencing daily life in the Garden State. The best examples can be found among AIA-NJ’s 2013 Design Award winners:

• HDR Architecture, based in Princeton, N.J., for their work on two projects: The Carbon Neutral Energy Solutions Laboratory, a net-zero energy use building at Georgia Tech, and the Leadership Academy, in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.;
• Shore Point Architecture, based in Ocean Grove, N.J., for their work on Asbury Park J.A.M.S., a community performing arts building in Asbury Park, N.J.;
• Clarke Caton Hintz, based in Trenton, N.J., for their work on Tillett Hall, an educational facility located on Rutgers University’s transformed Livingston Campus;
• Studio Hillier, based in Princeton, N.J., for their work on the Urban Trifecta Architectural Design Studio, for their office space;
• Taiek Kim, a sole proprietor based in Fort Lee, N.J., for his work on the 400 Sylvan Avenue; a unique and creative interior hallway;
• Mills and Schnoering, based in Princeton, N.J., for their safety and comfort upgrades at the Statue of Liberty National Monument;
• Interface Studio Architects, based in Philadelphia, Pa., for their work on Affordable Housing Development in Cramer Hill, including two sets of 10-unit buildings in Camden’s Cramer Hill neighborhood;
• Historica Building Architects, based in Trenton, N.J., for their work on Interior Restoration and Adaptive Use of Iviswold Castle at Felician College in Rutherford, N.J.; 
• KSS Architects, based in Princeton, N.J. for their work on two projects: The Eden Autism Services, Education & Outreach Center, a special needs school for approximately 80 students in Princeton, N.J., and the Ehinger Center, a campus hub and gathering space at Drew University in Madison, N.J.;
• Ballinger, a firm based in Philadelphia, Pa., for their work on the Rutgers University, Institute of Food Nutrition & Health, a laboratory, research center, and lecture space on Rutgers’ Cook Campus;
• Kohn Pederson Fox Associates, based in New York, N.Y.; for their work on 175 Park Avenue, a building that serves as the headquarters for the publicly-owned real estate firm Realogy in Madison, N.J.;
• Always by Design, based in Philadelphia, Pa., for their work on the Prospect House, an approximately 2,100 square-foot sustainable shore home in Cape May Point, N.J.
• Vitetta, a firm based in Philadelphia, P.A., for their work on Duke Farms, a large estate in Hillsborough;
• ikon.5 architects, based in Princeton, N.J., for their work on the Ithaca Guest House, a sleek guest house in Ithaca, N.Y.;
• DIGroupArchitecture, based in New Brunswick, N.J., for their work on Memorial Elementary School, the rebuilding of a fire damaged school building in East Brunswick, N.J.

By admin | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Architecture in NJ, NJ Architect Newsletter | Tagged: American Institute of Architects, Architecture Week, design awards | Comments (0)