April 9, 2014

As part of  National Architecture Week , an 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.   Each day this week this blog will highlight an AIA-NJ Design Award that exemplifies this –

Shore Point Architecture Receives AIA-NJ Merit Award for Design of Mixed-Use Community Performing Arts Building in Asbury Park

Ocean Grove, N.J.-Based Firm Designs Asbury Park J.A.M.S. to Serve as ‘Gateway’ to City’s West Side

 The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has awarded Ocean Grove, N.J.-based architectural design firm Shore Point Architecture with a Merit Award for its innovative design of Asbury Park J.A.M.S., a community performing arts building in Asbury Park, N.J.

“Asbury Park J.A.M.S. is a prime example of the type of dynamic project that will advance and elevate the state of architecture in New Jersey,” said Kurt Kalafsky, AIA, president of AIA-NJ. “Shore Point Architecture demonstrated incredible vision in designing the building, and is well deserving of this award.”

A 47,000-square-foot, mixed-use building, Asbury Park J.A.M.S. is currently in the schematic design phase. Therefore, its Merit Award was in the “Un-built” category, meant to recognize projects yet to be built, but which show great promise. The building will feature a 200-seat performance theater that will also serve as a lecture hall and home to corporate conferences. The facility will also provide television/video production capabilities, and will house museum galleries and the administrative headquarters of the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Society.

Additionally, Asbury Park J.A.M.S. will feature a café with both indoor and outdoor seating, a “boutique” hotel providing overnight lodging for musicians visiting the area and a unique rooftop performance venue, providing yet another unique experience for visitors to Asbury Park.

“Asbury Park J.A.M.S. is seen as the key element in the revitalization of the once vibrant west side of Asbury Park, as it will sit at the intersection of Springwood Avenue and Memorial Drive — literally the ‘gateway’ to the west side,” stated Stephen Carlidge, AIA, president of Shore Point Architecture. “We are extremely pleased to have been recognized by the AIA-NJ awards jury for this bold architectural statement of a building, as we believe that architecture can make a difference in making a place special and a place that people will want to be.”

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, NJ Architect Newsletter, Uncategorized | Tagged: American Institute of Architects, Architecture Week, Asbury Park NJ, design award, design awards, Shore Point Architecture | Comments (0)