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Awards Program 2024 Media Release

View the Honor and Design Award Winner Here!

Judy Genshaft Honors College by Morphosis­Earns the Top Architectural Design Award from the­American Institute of Architects, Tampa Bay Chapter
25 people, firms and buildings were honored for design excellence and service to the profession


St. Petersburg, FL (Nov. 7, 2024) – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Tampa Bay Chapter honored 25 recipients at its annual Celebrate Design Honor and Design Awards ceremony on Thursday, November 7th, at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg. The awards presentation was led by AIA Tampa Bay President, Angela Hendershot and Max Herman, a Tampa-based sportscaster and tour guide.­ The awards recognize excellence in architectural design, community service, and individual contributions to the architecture profession, and community.­

Hendershot expressed her pride in this year’s honorees, saying, “We celebrated not only the remarkable projects that shape our region but also the bold architects that created them. Architecture is the foundation of our communities—it impacts how we live, connect, and grow. Each honoree tonight has left an indelible mark on Tampa Bay, pushing boundaries and inspiring to imagine what’s possible. Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you for your commitment to transforming our cities and elevating the human experience.”

The top design award, the H. Dean Rowe, FAIA Award for Design Excellence was presented to Morphosis for the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida Tampa Campus. The jury praised the project for “harmonizing programmatic needs with aesthetic and environmental considerations. Elements like the wooden lattice in the central atrium and the vibrant atmosphere enrich the building as a place for study and relaxation”.

The President’s Award was bestowed upon architect Steve Cooke Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, College of Art, Design and Performance.­ He was recognized for his 37 years of dedicated service to architectural education, research, mentorship, and contributions to design and community advocacy.­ Reflecting on the significance of this award, Cooke stated, “It’s been my privilege to work alongside such talented and passionate students and colleagues at the School of Architecture and Community Design these last 37 years. Architecture is a discipline that transcends mere buildings – it is where the dreams and aspirations of a better world can be championed, and where the quest for beautiful places and livable communities is realized. I am immensely honored to be recognized by AIA Tampa Bay, and I look forward to seeing our next generation of architects carry this mission forward.”
Honor awards, recognizing service to the architecture community, AIA and the built environment were bestowed on the following honorees:

  • Allied Award: Luis Vargas, KPI Engineering – Recognized for exceptional service to the chapter and the architectural profession.

  • Award of Excellence: Nicole Travis, URP Advisors – Honored for outstanding leadership in urban design and community development, reshaping urban environments, and strengthening community ties in Lakeland and Tampa.

  • Contractor’s Award: Barr & Barr – Commended for craftsmanship and exceeding project expectations on complex builds like the CAE Headquarters, influencing outstanding workmanship in the industry.

  • Kelley Emerging Professional Award: Leah Crowe, Assoc. AIA – Awarded for her dedication to mentoring and preparing young professionals, balancing her roles at a firm, teaching at USF, and serving as AIA Tampa Bay Associate Director.

  • Levison Award: Jonathan Moore, AIA – Recognized for his continuous service above self through distinguished service to the chapter, community, and the profession of architecture.

  • Firm Award: Sol Design Studio – Honored for advancing sustainable design, fostering creativity, and contributing significantly to the architectural community through volunteerism and charity efforts.

  • Garcia Award: Trevor Lamphier, AIA – Selected by special award-winning jury for his overall achievements and exhibited talent in architectural design as a young architect, under 40.


People’s Choice Award

  • Tampa’s City Center at Hanna by Fleischman Garcia Maslowski

    • Voted by the public for its significant impact on the community and contribution to Tampa's urban landscape.

Sustainability Awards

The Sustainability Awards were juried by 3 architects specializing in sustainable design who are members of the AIA Honolulu Committee on the Environment.­
­

  • Merit Award: Skyhook by Solstice Architects

    • Recognized for its net-positive energy design, efficient water use, and LEED Platinum certification, as well as designing for aging in place with high-performance air quality and climate impact mitigation.

  • Merit Award: FIS Global Headquarters by Gensler

    • Commended for energy use reduction, indoor air quality, LEED Platinum certification, and community engagement through amenities like a public walkway and park.

  • Merit Award: Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center by Flad

    • Honored for being a highly resilient, hurricane-ready safe-haven with people-centered spaces for St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands community.

Design awards were juried by a 5-member team of renowned women architects led by Haruka Saito, AIA, principal of ZGF Architects in their Seattle office.­ They selected 14 projects for merit and honor awards.­ Merit awards recognize projects which demonstrate a commitment to excellence in architectural design.­ Honor Awards are awarded to projects which demonstrate the highest standards of design and innovation through a commitment to excellence in architectural design – the higher of the two categories

Merit Awards

  • Historic Preservation: The Gore Building by Straughn Trout Architects

    • Celebrated for balancing subtle historical references with contemporary reinterpretations, honoring its origins while meeting present-day needs.

  • Small Project: Eckerd College Scovanner Pavilion by Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors

    • Recognized for its symbolic design serving both functional and emotional purposes, fostering community gathering and remembrance.

  • Student Category: Respite as Escape by Logan Desaulniers

    • Commended for playful experimentation with media and processes, creating unique architectural interventions that interact with the terrain.?

  • Unbuilt Category:

    • Oriole Residence by Halflants and Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture

      • Acknowledged for its innovative approach to live-work design in the post-COVID era, using light to distinguish spaces.

    • Decatur Island Retreat by Aetherworks Design

      • Praised for elegantly integrating into the forested landscape, creating a contemplative residential temple.

    • Mango Rum Residence by PS Design Workshop

      • Recognized for successfully blending vernacular and modern design with airy, well-proportioned living spaces.

    • Eckerd College Café by Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors

      • Noted for its clever technique of uniting old and new buildings with a threshold rain garden, providing varied indoor and outdoor functions.

Honor Awards

  • New Work:

    • St. Petersburg Arts and Crafts Museum by Alfonso Architects

      • Celebrated for integrating art objects into architecture, creating varied experiences of light, color, and reflection that transport visitors.

  • Small Project:

    • enGraft Chair by WJ Architects

      • Commended for its conceptual journey, blending traditional craftsmanship with natural grafting techniques to create a smart, simple, and beautiful piece.

  • Unbuilt Category:

    • Woodson African American Museum by Storyn Studio

      • Recognized for embodying the museum's vision through a compelling facade and balanced interior design, creating spaces for celebration and reflection.

    • Sarasota Youth Sailing Education Building by PS Design Workshop

      • Praised for its multifunctional design, blending sustainability features with educational tools for community youth.

  • New Work:

    • Skyhook by Solstice Architects

      • Acknowledged for its thoughtful design for aging in place, responding sensitively to its surroundings and the needs of its users.

AIA Tampa Bay

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Tampa Bay represents over 750 architects and design professionals across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, and Pasco counties. The chapter is dedicated to advancing the value of architecture and its role in shaping communities through education, advocacy, and service. The regional chapter office is located in the Center for Architecture & Design, 1208 North Howard Avenue in West Tampa.

For additional event photos and a full list of winners, visit AIA Tampa Bay’s Website at www.aiatampabay.com/

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View the Honor and Design Award Winner Here!

 

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