Three Western Washington Buildings Earn 2014 AIA Honor Award

Three architectural projects in Western Washington were among the American Institute of Architects' 2014 Honor Awards winners. Let's take a look at the best of the best of the West.

Project: The Pierre, a San Juan Islands residence
Architect: Olson Kundig Architects
The Skinny: "The Pierre, French word for 'stone,' is a 2,500-square-foot residence inspired by the owner's affection for a stone outcropping on her property and the views from the site. Conceived as a bunker nestled into the rock, from certain angles the house – with its rough materials, green roof, and surrounding lush foliage – almost disappears into nature."

Project: King Street Station renovations
Architect: ZGF Architects
The Skinny: "To create a multimodal transportation hub, the 62,400-square-foot station had to be brought up to modern code and standards, which required seismic and structural updates as well as major systems upgrades. The historic renovation involved reversing "modernization" efforts executed during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, most notably removing a drop ceiling to expose the original ornate plaster ceilings in the grand waiting hall. The 45-foot ceilings required extensive restoration, which was done by craftsmen using historic techniques. Whenever possible original materials were rehabilitated and reused. Carrara marble and glass tile were sourced to match original materials where missing...The building has achieved LEED Platinum certification thanks to features such as natural ventilation and a ground-source heat pump that is anticipated to meet all of the station's heating and cooling needs."

Project: Odegaard Undergraduate Library interiors
Architect: The Miller Hull Partnership
The Skinny: "The interior renovation of this library at the University of Washington not only transformed an outmoded 1970s-era building but also reimagined the learning experience for students in the 21st century. The project also recognizes the inherent sustainability in renovation and reuse of a facility versus building new. Removal of the building's most dominant feature—the imposing central staircase—essentially "found" an additional 6,000 square feet of previously underused space, the equivalent of 36 dorm rooms."
· 2014 AIA Honor Award Recipients [AIA]
Photo Credits: Olson Kundig Architects, Benjamin Benschneider, Lara Swimmer