Alaska News

Alaska architecture awards range from a teen shelter to a cozy home for book lovers

A youth shelter in Anchorage, a cultural center in Juneau, two schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and a private home in Girdwood received awards at the 2015 conference of the Alaska chapter of American Institute of Architects on Oct. 24.

Nineteen submissions were received this year and judged by leading architects from Canada. The out-of-state judges were selected to provide neutrality in the process, but also because the similarities between building conditions in Canada and Alaska would make them familiar with the possibilities and limitations of building in the north.

The Citation Award, the equivalent of first prize in the 2015 Design Awards for Excellence in Architecture competition, went to the Mat-Su Day School, designed by Wolf & NAC Architecture and built by general contractor F-E Contracting.

The school was built to accommodate students with "emotional and behavioral challenges." Two classroom wings and common areas use different design elements to achieve distinct purposes: focus and shelter in the smaller academic spaces and a wider, more colorful feel in the common spaces.

Judges praised the school's use of "differentiation to develop a hierarchy of scale, form, texture, and color, communicating welcome, openness, and safety to students" with walls that "define the classrooms as calm, focused zones while enriching common spaces with curving geometry, subtle tactility, and a sense of exploration."

Merit award winners included the new Covenant House building in Anchorage, the Walter Soboleff Center in Juneau, cited for its "very high energy efficiency," Valley Pathways School, off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, and a "loft house" private home in Girdwood.

In addition to the awards determined by the Canadian judges, participants in the Alaska conference also made some "people's choice" picks based on drive-by ad hoc evaluations, said Angie Monteleone, AIA Alaska's executive director. The Soboleff Center was named the "Most Alaskan" and the Girdwood house received the prize as the "One I Wished I Had Designed."

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The Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center in Fairbanks, designed by Bettisworth North for the Tanana Chiefs Conference and built by Ghemm Company with consultants Arcadis, was chosen as "Most Original." The Alaska Airlines Center at the University of Alaska Anchorage, designed by McCool Carlson Green Architects, took double honors as both the "Best Presentation" and "Best Overall" building. The general contractor for the UAA project was Cornerstone General with consultants Hastings & Chivetta Architects.

2015 Design Awards for Excellence in Architecture competition

Citation Award: Mat Su Day School

Architect: Wolf & NAC Architecture

Developer/client: Matanuska-Susitna Borough

General contractor: F-E Contracting

Merit Award winner: Covenant House Alaska, Anchorage

Architect: RIM Architects

General contractor: Davis Constructors and Engineers

Judges said: "In addition to technical excellence in northern design, this (41,560 square foot) building, which is four times the size of the organization's previous facility, costs less to operate annually."

Factoid: The building includes 60 beds for youths in crisis.

Merit Award winner: Girdwood Loft House

Architect: Brian Stump

General contractor: EE/CC Fine Homes

Judges said: "There is floor to ceiling glass throughout the house, framing views and drawing in light. Where a sense of privacy was desired, wood slats were installed over the glass allowing for light and views, but also creating a slight visual barrier from the outside."

Factoid: Owner Jonathan Coyle wanted special places where one could take a book and read with a view; there are several such nooks, one reachable by a ladder.

Merit Award winner: Valley Pathways 7-12 School, Palmer

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Architect: McCool Carson Green Architects

General contractor: Collins Construction with consultants PDC Inc. and AMC Engineers

Judges said: "The school is organized around a dynamic gathering space that connects entry, athletics and academics. Despite its open feel the school can be easily partitioned providing security during after-hours use."

Factoid: L-shaped classrooms provide built-in breakout spaces.

Merit Award winner: Walter Soboleff Center, Juneau

Architect: MRV Architects

General contractor: Dawson Construction with consultants Murray & Associates

Judges said: "This Native cultural center was asked to both preserve and amplify the culture of the Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida peoples. The interior is organized around a two-story atria which is closed on the interior face by the 'Ceremonial Room,' an adaptation of a northwest coast tribal house, including a carved and painted cedar front."

Factoid: Built for the Sealaska Heritage Institute, the center uses wood pellets for heating and has all LED lighting.

Mike Dunham

Mike Dunham has been a reporter and editor at the ADN since 1994, mainly writing about culture, arts and Alaska history. He worked in radio for 20 years before switching to print.

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