An Ideas Based Practice

Public

Overview

Sponsored by federal, state, regional or municipal authorities and agencies, public architecture encompasses a wide diversity in building typologies from civic and justice to sports, science and healthcare, all specialty segments of our practice. To these resources, our leadership in the public sector brings an added sensitivity to the social and political dimensions of these environments and the skills necessary to effectively navigate through many constituencies and agendas in their role as a steward and guardian of the public interest.

Our work is as varied as the function and mission of the agencies and institutions we have served. Our civic and justice practice has designed community facilities for safety and law enforcement ; nationally acclaimed federal courthouses; detention and correctional centers for both juvenile and adult offenders. Our work in transportation, health sciences, and education is equally far-ranging and includes large-scale campus and master plans as well as individual projects. Our practice also supports public-private partnerships, drawing upon our established network of financial, real-estate, management and operational resources to meet client objectives.

Planning & Programming

Arts & Culture

Civic

Justice

Transportation

Federal

Recent Distinctions

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
URS Corporation
AIA Cleveland
Merit Award - Unbuilt
“The design portrays a strong sense of movement, with materials and color on point for a Transit Station located in an arts and cultural district.”
City of Ann Arbor, MI
Healthcare Facilities Symposium
User-Centered Distinction Award
City of Richmond
Wood Design & Building Magazine
Wood Design Awards - Honor Award
City of Richmond
Inform Magazine, Inform Awards
Interior Design - Honor Award
General Services Administration
AIA Cleveland
Honor Award – Unbuilt

Professional Recognition

Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
AIA Western New York
First Award
“A clean, minimalist structure, detailing makes the pavilion float...important to the execution of the project.”
Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
AIA Western New York
First Award for Design Excellence
“An exceptional building – accomplishing the goal of capitalizing upon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a positive image and new gateway to the region.”
Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers
Niagara Frontier - Energy and Technology Award
Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
American Society of Civil Engineers
New York State Council - Award for Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement
URS Corporation
AIA Cleveland
Merit Award - Unbuilt
“The design portrays a strong sense of movement, with materials and color on point for a Transit Station located in an arts and cultural district.”
URS Corporation
AIA Cleveland
Merit Award - Unbuilt
“The design portrays a strong sense of movement, with materials and color on point for a Transit Station located in an arts and cultural district.”
Clark County, Nevada
California Council of the AIA
Award of Merit
“In looking for the answer regarding how to design an urban detention facility that holds its own amid a growing vibrant city core, this facility is it. There are few obvious indicators of its function from the outside. It has an unusual window screening approach, making it very interesting to study.”
Clark County, Nevada
AIA State of Nevada
Honor Award
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
AIA St. Louis
Merit Award
“The alternating levels of balconies and curtain walls create different planes that provide relief from the facade. These well-resolved interactions between volumes allow for the integration of a natural, organic feel to the forms that match the project’s intent to bring gardens up throughout the building.”
County of Erie, New York
Society of American Registered Architects
National Award of Excellence
“For a public building, very nice transparent form, security not compromised. Good for Buffalo, nice recognition to the city.”
County of Erie, New York
AIA State of New York
Citation for Design
County of Erie, New York
American Society of Interior Designers - NY Upstate/Canada East Chapter
Best of Competition
County of Erie, New York
AIA Western New York
Honorable Mention
“The building has a very enigmatic presence, probably a necessity for such an occupancy. Perhaps post 9-11 pressure for secrecy precluded the presentation of interior views thus limiting the architect’s communication. The plans do give some idea of how traditional bureaucratic organization of spaces is handled on the various floors. The case for this project was not helped by some rather unfortunate exterior photographs. And yet the harmonic forcefulness of the form itself and its excellent proportions, reminiscent of some of the better works of Golusov, Lissitzky and other Russian Constructivists of the 1920s, were most convincing. It requires great creativity to make a “silk purse out of a sow’s ear” and secure government facilities present an extremely difficult problem to solve in an architecturally satisfying manner. This project advances that frontier.”
City of Glendale
AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice
Award of Merit
Maricopa County, Criminal Justice Facilities
AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice
Award of Merit
Maricopa County, Criminal Justice Facilities
AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice
Citation for Design Excellence
“The design uses strong indoor/outdoor connections and simple articulation of form to achieve a comforting and cohesive residential rehabilitation environment. Organized around a landscaped courtyard, the three simple single-story elements are punctuated by roof monitors and folded plate canopies, generating a rich human scale.”
General Services Administration
AIA State of Nevada
Honor Award
General Services Administration
California Council of the AIA
Merit Award
General Services Administration
California Council of the AIA
Merit Award
General Services Administration
AIA State of Nevada
Honor Award
General Services Administration
AIA Committee on Architecture for Justice
Citation for Design Excellence
“ The design makes a bold statement in the scale of the canopy, monumental column, and stairs at the building entry. The scale and detailing of these elements serve to establish a signature identity for the courthouse. The use of a variety of sun-screening strategies brings a layer of interest and character to the canopy and building skin. The plan is clear and responsive to the program and site, and security elements are successfully integrated into the architecture of the facility.”
General Services Administration
AIA Committee on Architecture for Justice
Citation for Design Excellence
“ The design makes a bold statement in the scale of the canopy, monumental column, and stairs at the building entry. The scale and detailing of these elements serve to establish a signature identity for the courthouse. The use of a variety of sun-screening strategies brings a layer of interest and character to the canopy and building skin. The plan is clear and responsive to the program and site, and security elements are successfully integrated into the architecture of the facility.”
Canisius College
American Institute of Architects
Honor Award for Interior Architecture
“The respect for the original architecture is clear, and the lightness of the gesture helps to create the soaring feeling in the space. The technology becomes the new ornament in an old ornamented space.”
Canisius College
AIA Western New York
First Award
“...an impressive space with a carefully crafted renovation.”
Canisius College
AIA State of New York
Award of Merit
“Preservation and adaptive re-use projects are all too often only driven by literal and meticulous preservation of the 'existing.' In this project, the repair of the old and the introduction of the new are juxtaposed with particular skill and beauty. The gossamer and butterfly-like structures of the new acoustical ceiling offers a contemporary pattern and perfect foil to the Byzantine tile and detail of the original building.”
Canisius College
American Society of Interior Designers - NY Upstate/Canada East Chapter
Best of Competition
“Very creative! A beautiful space - well thought out, with great lighting and excellent planning of balcony and stage location.”
Canisius College
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
Western New York Section, Illumination Design Award
“Focusing upon functional and visual flexibility, the lighting design operates with simplicity. Exterior luminaries enhance the steeple, dome, rose windows and entries, while reflections from stained glass windows of the dome decorate the acoustic panels in daylight. The theatrical lighting system includes balcony and side archway trusses. Original chandeliers in the upper reception area were restored, supplemented with track lighting, while fluorescent sources illuminate the lower lobby.”
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Architectural Lighting (A/L)
Light and Architecture Design Award - Special Citation - Peltz Theater
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Illuminating Engineering Society Los Angeles
Lumen West Award of Merit
Ontario Ministry of Health
Modern Healthcare/AIA Academy of Architecture for Health
Citation for Design Excellence
“This is a state-of-the-art mental health program where patient dignity is important in psychiatric treatment. The design . . . does an absolutely fantastic job of taking a half-million square feet into a residential scale. ”
Ontario Ministry of Health
AIA New England Healthcare Facilities Design
Honorable Mention, Boston Society of Architects
Ontario Ministry of Health
AIA New England Region
AIA Design Merit Award
Ordos JiangYuan Reservoir Co., Ltd.
AIA Los Angeles
Next/LA Award - Merit Award
“The important aspects of this project are rigorous, classic, and timeless, but are contemporary in execution…this is a good example of the ‘skin building’ genre in that its design promises lots of surprises.”
City of Santa Monica
AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice, Justice Facility Review
Citation for Excellence
“A significant achievement in response to site context and program. Public spaces treated with abundant daylight lend a community aspect to police services. The complex multifunction program is clearly organized, and the massing and architectural execution display a timeless building concept, an appropriate completion to the civic center.”
City of Richmond
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture
“Innovative use of the discarded pine-beetle-killed wood integrates the spanning system with the mechanical systems and creates an elegant roof that still manages to feel intimate for a large span structure. The building’s structural design permits an effective amount of perimeter daylighting to support interior functions”
City of Richmond
The Institute of Structural Engineers
Award for Sports or Leisure Structures
“Blade-like glulam arches combined with an ingenious, high profile and daring use of a timber resource currently under threat.”
City of Guangzhou
AIA Los Angeles
Next LA Award - Merit Award
“... the tower has a beautiful sculptural form, displaying a contemporary interweaving of disparate strands. The effect is reminiscent of delicate bamboo scaffolding.”
General Services Administration
AIA Cleveland
Honor Award – Unbuilt
General Services Administration
AIA Cleveland
Honor Award – Unbuilt
Tomihiro Museum of Shi-Ga, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
AIA Los Angeles
Next/LA Award – Citation Award

Government Recognition

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
Arizona State Hospital
Phoenix Community Development Association
Crecordia Award for public Architecture
“A distinctive complex that weaves a story of healing, well-being, and dignity, the Arizona State Hospital is a cutting edge facility that represents a new paradigm in mental health facilities. ”
Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Los Angeles Business Council
Beautification Award
General Services Administration
General Services Administration
Honor Award for Architecture
“The courthouse creates a symbolic corner within downtown Las Vegas. Its giant articulated column is a powerful totem that will no doubt become a signature in a city of signs and symbols. In addition to symbolizing a federal presence, the building responds to its urban surroundings, establishing a design precedent for large-scale public buildings.”
General Services Administration
General Services Administration
Honor Award for Architecture
“The courthouse creates a symbolic corner within downtown Las Vegas. Its giant articulated column is a powerful totem that will no doubt become a signature in a city of signs and symbols. In addition to symbolizing a federal presence, the building responds to its urban surroundings, establishing a design precedent for large-scale public buildings.”
Canisius College
Preservation League of New York State
Preservation League Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation
“This work has spurred economic development, increased heritage awareness and tourism, revitalized the community, and helped unveil the beauty of the area's rich architectural and cultural heritage...”
City of Santa Monica
Los Angeles Business Council
Sustainability Award
City of Beverly Hills
City of Beverly Hills
Design Excellence Award
City of Richmond
Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC)
Sustainability Star
U.S. General Services Administration
U. S. Department of Transportation
Merit Award
U.S. General Services Administration
General Services Administration
U.S. Presidential Award for Design Excellence
“The border station celebrates vernacular building traditions of both sides of the border, recalling the festive atmosphere of outdoor markets. There is a beautifully modulated quality of light inside.”
U.S. General Services Administration
General Services Administration
U.S. Presidential Award for Design Excellence
“The border station celebrates vernacular building traditions of both sides of the border, recalling the festive atmosphere of outdoor markets. There is a beautifully modulated quality of light inside.”
U.S. General Services Administration
U. S. Department of Transportation
Merit Award

Associations & Media Awards

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
City of Calgary
Recreation Management
Innovative Architecture & Design Award
“Good project inside and out. Consistency and organization flows throughout the project. Very nice balance of solid and transparency - the mix of sloped and cube forms - provides great interest for a very large building. Nice views into activity spaces and nice distinction of uses with split-level entries. Great to see Gold LEED® certification - huge challenge on this building type!”
Arizona State Hospital
Design-Build Institute
Merit Award for Public Sector Buildings
Duxton Plain Public Housing
Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design
American Architecture Award
Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
New York Construction News
Award of Merit
Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
New York Construction News
Top Project
“...creative solutions to difficult challenges posed by building in an operational airport.”
County of Erie, New York
New York Construction News
Award of Merit
County of Erie, New York
Buildings Magazine
Project Innovations, Citation of Excellence
“Every aspect of the approach to all key issues was very evident and utilized in every detail. Multiple issues have been addressed and done so with style. The quality of the external facades is indeed a pleasure to behold; this is translated into the interior with the same commitment to detail. The design team faced a tremendous challenge in bringing together multiple agencies under one roof. With each agency having its own agenda and protocols, the design team is to be congratulated on producing a superb building.”
Boston University
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction
Steel Construction Design Awards
“...for its curved and inclined shapes, expressing lightness and brilliance, through long, clear spans.”
Boston University
National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association
Outstanding Sports Facility
“BU's new Fitness and Recreation Center is the product of talent and experience applied with great passion. It's one of the best facilities in the country and fits well architecturally in its urban context. Definitely an award winner.”
Boston University
Build New England Awards Program
Performance Award
Boston University
Athletic Business
Facility of Merit
“A wonderfully executed, complex project. Nice design continuity between the diverse spectator, athletic & recreational components. The arena and fitness center sit comfortably next to one another, each retaining its own image without sacrificing function or aesthetics.”
Boston University
American School & University
Citation for Design Excellence
Canisius College
Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design
American Architecture Award
Canisius College
American School & University
Gold Citation
“Excellent restoration!...sensitivity to the original design while meeting the program...innovative design in acoustical panels, seating and lighting.”
Canisius College
New York Construction News
Award of Merit
“A spectacular project...the project team did an outstanding and sensitive job in restoring the fabric of the building while blending old and new components to provide a modern-day facility.”
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Interior Design Magazine
IIDA Interior Design Award
City of Ann Arbor, MI
Healthcare Facilities Symposium
User-Centered Distinction Award
City of Ann Arbor, MI
Healthcare Facilities Symposium
User-Centered Distinction Award
City of Richmond
Inform Magazine, Inform Awards
Interior Design - Honor Award
City of Richmond
Canadian Interiors Magazine
Best of Canada Awards - Honourable Mention
City of Richmond
Inform Magazine, Inform Awards
Interior Design - Honor Award
City of Guangzhou
Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design
American Architecture Award

Industry & Trade

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association
Honor Award
Clark County, Nevada
Concrete Masonry Institute
Honor Award
“This urban detention center manages to establish a strong civic presence in an extremely difficult project type. The designer has skillfully assembled a complex series of discreet programmatic volumes and the contrasting scales of concrete masonry and precast concrete provide further articulation through changes in scale and detail, while emulating desert colors.”
City of Richmond
Wood Design & Building Magazine
Wood Design Awards - Honor Award
City of Richmond
Wood Design & Building Magazine
Wood Design Awards - Honor Award
National Institutes of Health
Washington Building Congress
Craftsmanship Award

Publications

Recent Publications

Visual Reference Publications, Inc.
Modern Healthcare
Modern Steel Construction
New York Construction News
New York Construction News

Index

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
American School & University
Architectural Record
Architecture
Athletic Business
Chronicle of Higher Education
College Planning & Management
Contract
Corrections Forum
Corrections Forum
Corrections Forum
Corrections Today
Facilities Planning News
LA Architect
Modern Healthcare
Modern Steel Construction
New York Construction News
New York Construction News
New York Times
New York Times
Passenger Terminal World
Presentations
Progressive Architecture
Recreation Management
Stadia
Visual Reference Publications, Inc.
Visual Reference Publications, Inc.
Visual Reference Publications, Inc.
Visual Reference Publications, Inc.

Clients