Adam Bridge, AIA, accepts the Grand Design Award for Ayers Saint Gross. Photo courtesy Side A Photography.

Baltimore, MD (October 23, 2019) – AIA Baltimore and the Baltimore Architecture Foundation (BAF) honored the best of Baltimore design at the 2019 AIA Baltimore Excellence in Design Awards Celebration hosted at the Columbus Center on October 18. Built and unbuilt projects submitted by AIA members were judged by a distinguished jury of AIA architects from New Orleans.
Ayers Saint Gross received the Grand Design Award for At-Turaif, a museum intervention at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia. Through a comprehensive planning and design effort, the design team transformed the 58-acre site with structures dating back to the 15th century into a living museum and world-class cultural destination. A visitor center, farm, shaded walkways, exhibition galleries, signage, and multimedia were carefully designed to fit within the existing ruins to welcome and educate the public. The jury appreciated how the design team created accessible walkways that integrate into the archaeological fabric, while providing contemporary structures that do not disrupt the history of At-Turaif.
2019 marked the second annual Social Equity Award presented by AIA Baltimore and the Neighborhood Design Center. Dream | Design | Activate, a team of emerging architects and designers, received the award, which recognizes community-driven projects that promote social equity. Their project, Baer City, transformed a deteriorating, inaccessible blacktop space at the William S. Baer School into a sensory-driven, educational space that meets the special needs of its students who have cognitive and physical disabilities. The jury for the award, consisting of local architects and education leaders, applauded how with limited funding, the team brought art, creativity and vibrancy to a space, while meeting the diverse needs of its users.
AIA Baltimore awards Good Design = Good Business Awards to architects and clients who best utilize good design to help companies and organizations achieve their goals. Three firms received awards, including PI.KL Studio (Broadway Market), Peter Fillat Architects (Moxy DC), and Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects (Sarah’s Hope). The jury consisted of local leaders in architecture and education, government, and business.
The BAF presented its distinguished Golden Griffin and Roger D. Redden awards during the Excellence in Design Awards. The awards recognize dedication to architecture and the furthering of its understanding in Baltimore. The Enoch Pratt Free Library received the Golden Griffin Award and Rebecca Hoffberger of the American Visionary Arts Museum received the Roger D. Redden Award.
Awards were also presented to Future Architects Resources (FAR) Scholarship recipients who submitted projects at the Community College and Graduate School levels.
Congratulations to all the award winners.
The Grand Design Award
At-Turaif; Ayers Saint Gross; Ad’Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
Social Equity Design Award
Baer City at the William S. Baer School; Alyssa Brown, Assoc. AIA; Briana Allen, Assoc. AIA; Tracey Beall; Jocelyn Christian; Tia Harris; and Marcella Massa, Int’l Assoc. AIA; Baltimore, MD
Award for Excellence in Environmentally Sustainable Design
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute; Quinn Evans; Washington, DC
Michael F. Trostel, FAIA, Award for Excellence in a Historic Preservation Project
Parker Metal; Design Architect: McInturff Architects | Interiors: Rory McCarthy Design; Baltimore, MD
2019 Exceptional Detail Award
Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus – Wave Wall; CannonDesign; Milford, DE
Good Design = Good Business Award Winners
Sarah’s Hope; Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects; Baltimore, MD
Broadway Market; PI.KL Studio; Baltimore, MD
Moxy DC; Peter Fillat Architects; Washington, DC
Excellence in Design Awards Winners
Parker Metal; Design Architect: McInturff Architects | Interiors: Rory McCarthy Design; Baltimore, MD
Excellence in Design Awards Honorable Mentions
Broadway Market; PI.KL Studio; Baltimore, MD
Cosima at Mill No. 1; Alexander Design Studio; Baltimore, MD
Eckerd College, The Helmar and Enole Nielsen Center for Visual Arts; Design Architect: Ayers Saint Gross | Local Architect & Interiors: Harvard Jolly; St. Petersburg, FL
Benjamin W. Murch Elementary School; Design Architect: Hord Coplan Macht | Architect of Record: R. McGhee & Associates; Washington, DC
Baer City at the William S. Baer School; Alyssa Brown, Assoc. AIA; Briana Allen, Assoc. AIA; Tracey Beall; Jocelyn Christian; Tia Harris; and Marcella Massa, Int’l Assoc. AIA; Baltimore, MD

See the full list of 2019 AIA Baltimore and BAF Excellence in Design Award Winners