The Architect’s Newspaper (AN)’s inaugural 2013 Best of Design Awards featured six categories. Since then, it’s grown to 26 exciting categories. As in years past, jury members (Erik Verboon, Claire Weisz, Karen Stonely, Christopher Leong, Adrianne Weremchuk, and AN’s Matt Shaw) were picked for their expertise and high regard in the design community. They based their judgments on evidence of innovation, creative use of new technology, sustainability, strength of presentation, and, most importantly, great design. We want to thank everyone for their continued support and eagerness to submit their work to the Best of Design Awards. We are already looking forward to growing next year’s coverage for you.
2016 Best of Design Award for Civic Institution: Architecture of Buffalo Bayou Park
Architect: Page
Location: Houston, TX
As part of a varied program of structures commissioned for Houston’s three-mile long Buffalo Bayou Park, Page’s pavilion is designed to withstand the area’s frequent flooding. Solid board-formed concrete piers provide resistance to flood damage and are paired with an expressive steel frame and delicate steel screens to create shade. When a severe flooding event occurred just after completion of the structures, no damage was sustained.
Landscape Architect
SWA Group
Environmental Consultant
Hunt & Hunt Engineering Corp.
Contractor
Millis Development & Construction
Wood Supplier
US Lumber Brokers
Railing Manufacturer
Pool Custom Ironworks
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. (Courtesy Elizabeth Felicella/Esto)
Honorable Mention, Civic Institution: Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Architect: Architecture Research Office
Location: New York, NY
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. (Courtesy Elizabeth Felicella/Esto)
To provide a home for the world’s largest LGBTQ Jewish community, ARO renovated a landmark Cass Gilbert–designed warehouse to create a synagogue that embodies
the community’s core values of transparency, intimacy, warmth, and flexibility.
Museum of Neon Art. (Courtesy Fotoworks/Benny Chan)
Honorable Mention, Civic Institution: Museum of Neon Art
Architect: Shimoda Design Group
Location: Glendale, CA
Museum of Neon Art. (Courtesy Fotoworks/Benny Chan)
The renovated 8,400-square-foot building and public pedestrian space infuses a new sense of cultural and pedestrian connectivity in downtown Glendale. Shimoda Design Group kept the interior of the gallery space as raw as possible, while maximizing its existing volumes to include a neon workshop, classroom, and museum shop.
