October 18, 2000

AIA Western International Design Awards

Two Seattle firms were honored with Merit Awards at the American Institute of Architects first-time multiregional and international conference, AIA Summit 2000, held in late September. The AIA Western International Design Awards competition drew 98 entries from the western United States, Canada and Mexico.

Designed by Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, the Mayer residence is a single-family home in downtown Denver, Colo., that combines both gallery and residential functions. Jurors praised this project as "a very civilized urban infill -- appropriately scaled -- in context with its neighbors, successfully addressing the streetscape." Jim Olson was the lead designer.

Bobo Residence

Olson Sundberg received a second Merit Award for the Bobo residence in Seattle. Tom Kundig was the lead designer for this dual-purpose home and photography studio. Jurors commented that the home was "medieval and modern ... a skillful and restrained exercise in the choice and detailing of simple materials, and a contemporary example of the arts and crafts movement."

Bellevue Regional Library

The Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, which has local offices in Seattle and Portland, won a Merit Award for the Bellevue Regional Library, which jurors called "an inventive interpretation of Northwest style in its whimsical tent-like roof forms -- fastidiously detailed." Bob Frasca and Ev Ruffcorn were the lead designers.

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• Awards honor western projects  10-18-2000