Birdseye Design of Richmond

Award: Private Residence in New Haven, Vermont

The Jury chose to recognize this residential project as they thought it was one of those well-done moments in architecture - a bold rendition of traditional forms built with “new materials” using spare and well-executed details.  Everybody wanted to live in this house.

Bread Loaf Corporation of Middlebury

Award: Health Care & Rehabilitation Services, South Eastern Vermont

This project, awarded in the Sustainable Category, was seen by the jury as a challenging program that had a convincing well-executed sustainability agenda.  The Sustainability features were simple, low tech, common sense, and consistently implemented through out the project.  There was a restrained elegance and generosity in the plan and spaces throughout the structure that were especially notable given the building type.

Freeman French Freeman Architects of Burlington

Award: Mary Fletcher House Restoration in Burlington, VT.

The jury appreciated the balance between the restoration and new work.  FFF was commended for saving the Mary Fletcher House and putting it forward as the crown jewel in the complex. The additions are recessive “back ground” buildings using more contemporary materials in a subtle, complementary manner.  The team was impressed that the added buildings didn’t imitate but had an understated confidence of their own behind the renovated house.
Historic Preservation Category.

Sellers and Company of Warren

Award: Medical Clinic in El Salvador

The overwhelming comment for this small project was “SMALL PROJECT – BIG HEART”.  What impressed the jury most was that this was a design-driven project with a social agenda; both the design and the agenda showed through loud and clear.  The building had a clean simple plan with a central space for ventilation and community.  The jury liked this emphasis on community and natural/vernacular HVAC systems as well as the creative use of local materials and construction techniques.

Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz, Architects of Burlington

Award: Learning Center in Shelburne, Vermont.

 
SAS had a beautiful presentation that immediately caught the jury’s attention.  Commendations were given for thorough planning that will save a remarkable structure.  The additions to the complex are sympathetic and complimentary to the original buildings without copying them.  The hope of the jury is that the buildings will be as handsome as the presentation.

Un-built Category

William Maclay Architects & Planners of Waitsfield

Award: Eco Resort Village in Costa Rica.

The Eco Resort Village in Costa Rica stood out for its deliberate program and thoughtful layout in the landscape.  Resort complexes tend to be haphazard.  With out being contrived or controlled the Eco Resort Village master plan set a high standard for the development with a sophisticated level of detail.  The presentation showed just enough of all the parts to convey the clear formal intentions and values of the project.

New Directions Category

Arrodesign of Waitsfield

Merit Award: Black Tree House in Warren, Vermont.

Architects love follies and the jury was no different.  They were immediately taken with the Black Tree House.  Though the project was traditionally composed of a roof column and base, it dematerialized in a contemporary way to let the trees and landscape read through the architecture.  The project was cleverly detailed using innovative construction techniques, which the jury appreciated for the beauty of the details and the risks taken to implement them.

Landscape Category.

Michael Minadeo and Partners of Burlington

People’s Choice Award: Lake House project in Shelburne.

All the entries were displayed at Burlington’s City Hall in November where the public was encouraged to vote for their favorite project.