By Jeff Stetter, AIA, Co-Chair of the Awards Committee

AIA Vermont members gathered this December at Plumley Hall at Norwich University in Northfield, VT for a year-end celebration of the chapter's work, a presentation of award-winning projects, and for some formal business of the organization.

The event kicked off with an open studio event at the School of Art and Architecture in Chaplin Hall.  A lively engagement ensued between professionals, students, and professors.  4th-year students presented projects to revitalize a downtown Burlington site via mixed-use housing and public event space. For those adventurous souls, a first-year studio built full-size Zig Zag Chairs (designed by Gerrit Rietveld in the 1930’s) which could be sat in.

The event continued at Plumley Armory with a cocktail hour set against the backdrop of the design awards entries exhibit, and live music by Douglas Perkins. Presentations included a recap of 2022, and a look ahead to 2023 by outgoing AIA VT President, Matt Bushey and incoming AIA VT President, Eleanor D'Aponte.

AIAVT's 2021 Past President, Taryn Barrett, announced this year's winner of the John Dale Award, is Tom Bachman.  Tom was nominated by peers for this award, in recognition of his dedication to his profession and his commitment to serving his community.  On behalf of Tom, AIAVT will make a $1,500 donation to the Good Samaritan Haven.

The design awards were presented by Awards Committee Co-Chair, Ryan Edwards, AIA, and Executive Director, Sarah O Donnell.  Using a hybrid approach to the presentation,  Ryan announced each award winner and cued up a video presentation, which featured still images of the winning design, paired with the commentary of the AIA Central Washington jury members.    This format was initiated in 2020.  After receiving lots of positive feedback on this format, AIAVT's board decided to incorporate it again this year. A bit of a technical glitch occurred limiting the number of photos shown, but in the end, the presentation worked well. The full video can be viewed here. 

Five projects received awards, including the following. Images and details on each project can be found here.

Honor Award in the Single Family Residential category goes to Birdseye for Terrapin in Woodstock, VT.

Merit Award in the Historic Preservation / Adaptive Reuse / Rehabilitation category goes to Centerline Architects and Planners for The Barn at Bennington College in Bennington, VT.

Merit Award in the Single Family Residential category goes to Harry Hunt Architects for Black & Light House in Stowe, VT.

Merit Award in the Commercial / Institutional category goes to Freeman French Freeman for Vermont Agricultural and Environmental Laboratory in Randolph.

Citation Award in the Single Family Residential category goes to Harry Hunt Architects for House at Kingdom Farm in Burke, VT.

Special thanks go to our sponsors, including this year's event Underwriter, Windows and Doors by Brownell, our Gold Sponsor, Crown Point Cabinetry, and our Bronze Sponsors, rk Miles, and Engineering Ventures.