Masonry Magazine August 1992 Page. 15
AIA, NCMA Honor Architects for Concrete Masonry Design
Seven architectural firms share honors for outstanding examples of concrete masonry building design.
The seven winners of the biennial Concrete Masonry Design Awards of Excellence received special awards for a rich diversity of projects at the American Institute of Architects Convention in Boston, June 21. Co-sponsored by the AIA and the National Concrete Masonry Association, the national program acknowledges outstanding concrete masonry building design.
AIA executive vice president/CE James P. Cramer, said that the AIA/NCMA awards program is "an important industry event, designed to celebrate the best in architectural design and encourage innovative application of concrete masonry products." In addition to design innovation and aesthetics, the criteria for judging entries included functional utility, economy, environmental harmony, energy efficiency and attention to social concerns.
The Summit Court Condominium was one of seven buildings chosen as examples of design excellence from 160 awards program submissions from around the nation. This six unit condo was built as an infill in a multifamily residential neighborhood. Its form was derived from the larger U shaped open air courtyard buildings nearby. The project architect said that concrete masonry was not only economical and compatible with the neighboring buildings, but also allowed better articulation of color, texture and massing of the building. Concrete masonry was supplied by Betco Block and Products, Bethesda, Maryland.
The New Jersey Museum of Agriculture's 30,000 square foot facility displays the agricultural history of New Jersey through its collection of historical farm and household implements and scientific and agricultural photographs. The design is reminiscent of a barn to reflect the history of the region. Yet the building's contemporary design acknowledges that architecture, like agriculture, has progressed with time. The building's face is split face, while inside smooth concrete blocks are left exposed to reflect the utilitarian nature of barns. Concrete masonry for the project was supplied by E. P. Henry Corporation, Woodbury, New Jersey.
The Faith Lutheran Church's expansion utilizes a neutural palette of natural masonry materials and finishes throughout, taken from the surrounding suburban neighborhood and then refined. The jury recognized the architect for the detail and execution of the block design, saying the project was reminiscent of a medieval tower, but with a very delicate delivery in keeping with its location, context and intent.
The Limon, Colorado Fire and Rescue facility featured a palette of plain faced concrete in response to cost considerations and the need for fast track construction. Split face banding and colored block are set in a grid pattern, and the building design references the town's most prominent structures. McKinney Concrete Products, Pueblo, Colorado, supplied concrete masonry for the project.