AIA Eastern Pennsylvania 2009 Design Awards Winners

Award of Excellence
Category: Residential
Verandah, Little Gap, PA
Architect: Gene Paul Berg, Jr. AIA
Project Architect: Gene Paul Berg, Jr. AIA
Photographer: Steve Wolfe, Steven Wolfe Photography
Phone: 610-439-8818

Juror John C. Cowder, AIA:
Very appealing design. Nicely sited to take advantage of
some beautiful views. Consistent color and material selection.  A very sophisticated home for such a modest budget.

Juror Carl J. Handman, AIA:
This must have been a special client. The Architect has taken a difficult site and responded well to the challenges faced.

Juror Nicholas Snyder, AIA:
A simple, elegant solution on a reasonable budget, the Architect provided a beautiful room
in the woods.

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Award of Merit
Category: Educational
Eyer Middle School, Lower Macungie Township, PA
Architect: The Architectural Studio
Project Architect: George L. Moore, AIA, APA
Photographer: Steve Wolfe, Steven Wolfe Photography
www.architecturalstudio.com
Phone: 610-437-1737

Juror John C. Cowder, AIA:
I was intrigued by the main entrance through the cafeteria,
but it works well and the interior spaces throughout are
exciting and full of light and visual activity… I would enjoy going to school here.

Juror Carl J. Handman, AIA:
The additions have been attached to the existing building in a way that exploits light and interior views of the new Courtyard, creating a unified complex.

Juror Nicholas Snyder, AIA:
The Architect has successfully tackled the monotony that the scale of school design can promote by providing the student’s with a different experience around every corner. The transition between existing and addition was especially satisfying.

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Award of Merit
Category: Institutional / Commercial
LVIP Office Building / Spillman Farmer Architects Office, Bethlehem, PA
Architect: Spillman Farmer Architects
Project Architect: Christa Duilberg-Kraftician, AIA, LEED AP
Russel P. Pacala, AIA, LEED AP
Photographer: Steve Wolfe, Steven Wolfe Photography; Sierra Krause
www.spillmanfarmer.com
Phone: 610-865-2621

Juror John C. Cowder, AIA:
An appropriate response to what could have been just another speculative office building.

Juror Carl J. Handman, AIA:
For a speculative office building, a project type known for banal solutions, the Architect has produced a superior solution. The interiors are nicely handled.

Juror Nicholas Snyder, AIA:
The Architect has created an office building that seems to promote creativity and productivity through the large expanse of day-lighting and the well detailed interiors, which are distinctly modern while showing a hint of tribute to Bethlehem’s material past.

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Award of Merit
Category: Eclectic
Reading Pagoda Renovation and Master Plan
Mt. Penn, City of Reading, PA
Architect: Kautter & Kelley Architects
Project Architect: Aaron D. Booth, RA
Photographer: Kautter & Kelley Architects
www.kautterkelley.com
Phone: 610-372-9960

Juror John C. Cowder, AIA:
An astonishing display of light in just the right places to enhance an already beautiful form.

Juror Carl J. Handman, AIA:
An excellent phase one for a multi phase historic preservation project.

Juror Nicholas Snyder, AIA:
Appropriate and appreciated attention to detail, fitting for a historic beacon to the
Reading area.

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Special Citation
Category: Eclectic
Ambre Studio, Bethlehem, PA
Architect: Artefact, Inc.
Project Architect: Christine Ussler, AIA
Photographer: Artefacts, Inc. / Ambre Studio
www.artefactarchitecture.com
Phone: 610-861-9772

Juror John C. Cowder, AIA:
I would like to have seen the original historic photos and its context to the street… Considering this was formerly a comic book store, this is an incredibly nice preservation project and
a great contribution to the town.

Juror Carl J. Handman, AIA:
We need more historic preservation “infill” project like this.

Juror Nicholas Snyder, AIA:
Especially commendable for a small infill project, the Owner and Architect have turned a rough stone into a gem and raised the bar for other preservation projects in this section of town.

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Special Citation
Category: Institutional / Commercial
Reading Eagle / Press & Distribution Center Addition 345 Penn Street, Reading, PA
Architect: Muhlenberg / Greene Architects, Ltd.
Project Architect: John R. Hill, AIA, LEED AP
Photographer(s): Aerial: Aerial Photos of New Jersey
Exterior & Interior: Dan Naylor
Interior: Muhlenberg / Greene Architects, Ltd.
www.mgarchitects-ltd.com
Phone: 610-376-4927

Juror John C. Cowder, AIA:
Having designed several press rooms myself, this is a uniquely clean and efficient environment that deserves the attention from the street it was given… I imagine this is particularly interesting at night.

Juror Carl J. Handman, AIA:
While the building itself is not cutting-edge architecture, the decision to display the well-designed press room via the large “front” windows can only contribute to the urban life of Downtown Reading.

Juror Nicholas Snyder, AIA:
The Architect’s decision to reveal the workings of the printing presses to the pedestrians passing by has strengthened the experience of the streetscape. A commendable decision to express the function of the building in order to heighten the pedestrian experience.

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Special Citation: Sensitivity to Site
Category: Educational
ESU Hoeffner Science Center
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Architect: MKSD Architects
Project Architect: John A. Young, AIA, LEED AP
Photographer: Steve Wolfe, Steven Wolfe Photography
www.mksdarchitects.com
Phone: 610-366-2081

Juror John C. Cowder, AIA:
At first glance I thought this was an addition project. 
A clever combination of forms that help break the mass of
what could have been an overwhelmingly bulky building.

Juror Carl J. Handman, AIA:
A building of this size could have overwhelmed the ESU campus.  Fortunately the
Architects broke the mass down into several appropriately sized volumes, and responded to the 2 intersecting site “grids".

Juror Nicholas Snyder, AIA:
The decision to break down the overall mass into manageable forms not only helped relate to the surrounding buildings, but also provided an entrance between the voids of the building which aesthetically strengthens the project. Subtle shifting/twisting of masses relates nicely to surrounding site grids, while also enhancing the design.