NEW YORK, NY.- Twelve eminent architects, educators, critics and planners convened at the Center for Architecture to select the winners of the 2011 AIA New York Chapter’s Design Awards. Last night, they publically announced the 38 winning projects at a symposium at the Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Place). The conversation was moderated by William Menking, editor-in-chief of the Architect’s Newspaper.

The 38 selected projects and the architecture firms behind them – many of whom were on hand for the symposium – represent exceptional work by AIA New York members and other architects practicing in New York in four categories: interiors, architecture, un-built work and urban design. Each winning project, granted either an “honor” or “merit” award, was chosen for its exemplary originality. The criteria used by the juries included design quality, program resolution, innovation, thoughtfulness and technique. Projects had to be completed by architects/designers practicing in New York, or be New York City projects, designed by architects/designers based elsewhere. There were 433 entries in four categories, including 184 submissions in the architecture category alone.

Best and brightest
The juries gave 38 awards, including six Honors Awards in architecture, four in interiors, three in unbuilt work, and three in urban design. “What rose to the top of the urban design category” explained juror Marilyn Jordan Taylor, FAIA, were “three mid-size, high impact projects.” Of Honor winner Lincoln Center by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, with associate architects FXFOWLE Architects, and Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, she said, “These kinds of projects don’t have one client, they really have 23 clients. But they expressed their ideas inventively, with a single hand. It is a deliberative, negotiated project looks like it has been there all along.”

In the interiors category, juror Neil Frankel, FAIA, FIIDA, singled out the EDAW Inc. office by Michielli + Wyetzner Architects, an Honor winner. “It’s a strong metaphor for the dynamics of today’s workplace, with glass walls that move to change the space from an intimate gathering space to one that can accommodate a large group.”

In Architecture, juror Minsuk Cho, AIA highlighted Honor winner LOT-EK’s APAP Openschool. “The found industrial object is simple, but not simplistic,” he said. “It touches down in interesting ways, and has a great moment when you hover above the forest.”

Design Awards exhibition and the “Project of the year”
All winning work will be exhibited at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, beginning April 14, 2011with an opening reception from 6-8pm. The Design Awards Exhibition will remain on view through June 25. New this year, the Design Awards Exhibition will feature a “Project of the Year.” This project, selected from amongst the winners, will be displayed in the Center for Architecture’s Helfand Spotlight gallery from April 14 through early May. The selection, which will remain secret until the opening on April 14, will be chosen by AIANY President Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED AP, benefitting from advice from a team of distinguished experts.

“Competition was fierce, and we were thrilled by the results,” said Castillo. “The breadth and depth of the winning projects proves just how resilient and creative the New York architecture community remains, despite the recession. Any number of submissions could be the ‘project of the year,’ but you’ll have to wait until April 14 to see which I select.”