October 10, 2018

Central Washington AIA honors 5 projects

Five projects were honored by the American Institute of Architects, Central Washington Chapter at the 2018 Design Awards and Gala at the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center in Prosser on Sept. 21.

To be eligible, projects had to be located in or designed by architects in Kittitas, Yakima, Klickitat, Benton, Grant, Adams, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield or Asotin counties.

There were 18 entries. Awards were given for honor, merit, citation and craftsmanship, along with special recognition.

The jury was Jeanne Jackson of VCBO Architecture in Salt Lake City, Douglas Minarik of Minarik Architecture in Portland, Brian Wickersham of Aux Architecture in Los Angeles, and Rebecca Teagarden, a former architecture and design writer for The Seattle Times.

Here are the winners:

Photo by Kevin Scott

Washington Fruit & Produce Co. Headquarters in Yakima

Washington Fruit & Produce Co. Headquarters in Yakima won an honor award and a craftsmanship award. It was designed by Graham Baba Architects and built by Artisan Construction. The team also included Berger Partnership, landscape architecture; MA Wright, structural; ARUP, mechanical; Meier Architecture • Engineering, civil; Interior Motiv, interior design; Stusser Woodworks, furniture; and Brian Hood Lighting, lighting engineer.

The jury called the project a “serene example” of how a strong concept, restrained palette of materials, fine craftsmanship and exceptional design can result in remarkable architecture, according to a press release from the AIA chapter.

The jury said the client got what it wanted: warmer materials, minimal concrete, non-boxlike forms, protection from the nearby freeway, and minimal visible equipment and devices.

It also called the way the building fits into the landscape and the interior views focus on the garden courtyard “supremely respectful of the agrarian nature of this company.”

Photo by Tony Roslund Photography + Motion

Sunhawk Hall, Columbia Basin College in Pasco

Sunhawk Hall, Columbia Basin College in Pasco won a merit award. It was designed by ALSC Architects, and built by Chervenell Construction. The team also included DCI Engineers, structural; JUB Engineers, civil; North American Engineering, electrical; and Sage Design Group, landscape architecture.

The jury called the layout of rooms and choice of materials simple, functional and current without seeming overly stylized. It said Sunhawk Hall should be a wonderful asset for CBC, helping it to attract students to the campus.

Photo by Skip Armstrong

White Salmon Residence in White Salmon

White Salmon Residence in White Salmon won a merit award. It was designed by Johnston Architects, and built by Hawk Butte Construction. Giraf Design was the structural engineer.

The jury said: “This home, while modest in size and budget, is outstanding in so many ways. It was designed with a clear concept: use beautiful materials, embrace the incredible view and create a nurturing place for family.”

Photo by Mark VanDouge

Revelry Vintners in Walla Walla

Revelry Vintners in Walla Walla won a citation award. It was designed by DeMambro Architecture/Blake Fisher Architecture & Design, and built by Ketelsen Construction Co./Wallace Construction. Interior design was by Revelry Vintners’ owner Jared Burns.

The jury said: “Spartan exterior elements and material choices are well-proportioned and rigorously detailed, with an interior that is warm and inviting.”

Photo by Jim Van Gundy

Virginia Mason Memorial Energy Plant in Yakima

Virginia Mason Memorial Energy Plant in Yakima won special recognition for high level design on a difficult building type.

The project was designed by KDA Architecture, and built by VK Powell Construction. The team also included Huibregtse Louman Associates, civil; Kramer Gehlen & Associates, structural; Notkin Engineers, mechanical; and Stantec, electrical.

The jury said “An energy plant is very rarely considered an opportunity for great architecture, but this architectural team made the most of a complicated typology and a building that is far too often dismissed as a chance for ‘design.’ ”

For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/ydgjs5uc/.