The Minnesota's highest award for architectural excellence, announced last week, is not just about architectural excellence.

"These awards are aimed at raising the standard of excellence in architecture, but the standards are changing," said Anna Pravinata, president of the Minnesota American Institute of Architects (AIA Minnesota) and head of the Minneapolis Alliance. . "It's not just about aesthetics and core functions. It's about the health of the planet and how people feel welcome in space."

At the virtual awards ceremony, five honorary awards and six outstanding design framework awards were selected from 58 projects. Many winning projects are in the Shuangcheng area. The rest can be found from northeastern Minnesota to near Lincoln Park in Chicago to the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

Minneapolis Public Service Building, Minneapolis

Company: MSR Design in Minneapolis and Henning Larsen in New York City.

Description: "This 11-story municipal building with sustainable design brings together seven municipal departments and 1,100 employees under one roof, and completes a civic plaza on the government plaza in downtown Minneapolis. Street level Fashionable design and openness herald a new era of transparency and accessibility and welcome local government services."

Jury's comment: "This project surprised us."

Lilydale Regional Park Pickerel Lake Pavilion, Sao Paulo

Description: "This picnic shelter and gathering place is located on the restored brownfields of the Mississippi River. It is the focal point of the 384-acre park, known for its opportunities for hiking, bird watching, canoeing and cross-country skiing. Expressive The strong folding slab canopy is made of weathered steel and thermally modified wood and slopes slightly upward toward the lake."

The jurors commented: "As a public pavilion, it is a gift-a memorable place for family gatherings, weddings, remembrances and solitary reflections."

Arthur J. Altmeyer Federal Building, Woodlawn, Maryland

Company: HGA in Minneapolis and Snow Kreilich Architects in Minneapolis.

Description: “This project renovated a 10-story concrete framed 1959 office building on the campus of the Social Security Administration,” wrote AIA Minnesota. "Building renovations, new mechanical systems, new staircases and elevator cores, and a thorough overhaul of the interior have resulted in a significant increase in daylighting, living comfort and space efficiency, and aesthetics."

Comment from the juror: "A complete renovation of an aging office building-you would never guess that this is a refurbishment."

Description: "The architects of this long and narrow new home near Lincoln Park called it a variant of a row house. Floor-to-ceiling bay windows face the street, while courtyards and terraces provide integrated outdoor living at the back."

Jury's comment: "It takes a bold client to have such a high level of transparency on the street."

Manitowish Waters Fire Hall, Manitowish Waters, Wis.

Description: "This economical project-a simple steel frame structure, custom prefabricated wall patterns to echo the landscape and geology of the site, and smart brand colors-to provide a full range of firefighting, rescue and EMS services for rural communities ."

Jury’s comment: “This simple and inspirational building illustrates the importance of voluntary fire service and its use as a community space.”

Golden Valley Brookview Community Center

Description: "This new civic social center interweaves entertainment activities with a community gathering space that welcomes everyone. The design is based on the community and draws inspiration from the city’s medieval residential features, with clean lines, indoor/outdoor connections, and An informal scale public space. ”

Jury's comment: "We don't want more cities to have this-a beautiful indoor/outdoor leisure space suitable for all ages."

Company: Oertel Architects, Sao Paulo.

Description: "A 1916 juggling theater was converted into a cinema, turning a long-vacant cave into one of the most popular music venues in the Twin Cities. The architect described the design strategy as'protection through stability'."

Juror’s comment: “The renovation is very sketchy, but very poetic; it conveys a sense of urgency and is suitable for new uses as a music venue.”

Description: "This traumatized, low-impediment housing shelter—an independent walled village in an underutilized commercial building—explored a new type of housing between low-income housing and traditional temporary shelters. In the gap. In addition to private rooms, customers can get a range of housing, mental health and chemical dependence services on site."

The juror’s comment: “Even if the budget is limited and time is tight, clients and architects can create a sense of neighborhood and belonging through the layout of the village, surrounding facilities, and social spaces.”

Jewel Box Cottage in Luxemburg, Minnesota

Company: Imprint Architecture + Design, Stillwater.

Description: "The design of this efficiently furnished 900 square foot resort combines simple, durable materials with immersive views of the natural environment. It is built within the footprint of a small wooden house that previously occupied the site. The woodland property has the least disturbance to the site."

Comment from the juror: "This is a perfect place to communicate with nature or work remotely."

Louisville Free Public Library Northeast, Louisville, Kentucky.

Company: MSR Design, Minneapolis, JRA Architects, Louisville.

Description: "This branch is in the form of a lighting pavilion in the park, extending its learning and gathering space to a covered outdoor terrace. The location of the new facility is to protect most of the mature trees on the site and to integrate and connect the campus Path, while exchanging the activities and technologies of the 21st century library."

Jury's comment: "The transparency of this park library is amazing."

Norman Public Library Central, Norman, Oklahoma.

Description: "This new three-story library is located between large urban parks, freight corridors, and residential areas. The architects learned from the University of Central Oklahoma for iron-rich soil, resilient habitat, dramatic weather patterns, and intense weather patterns. Drew a special inspiration from the sunshine of the town."

Jury's comment: "The architects cleverly installed the building in a very compact site. They used the ceiling-made up of large perforated panels in many places-to produce a huge creative effect."

Rick Nelson joined the staff of Star Tribune in 1998. He is a native of Twin Cities, a graduate of the University of Minnesota and a winner of the James Beard Award. 

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