AIA GEORGIA REWARDS DESIGN EXCELLENCE

The Georgia chapter of the American Institute of Architects recently announced the winners of its 2001 Design Awards Program. Their purpose was not only to applaud examples of architectural excellence, but to promote public appreciation of the diversity, quality, and scope of Georgia architecture. One winner of an Award of Excellence in Interior Architecture was idea/span for the Merial North American Headquarters, a workplace characterized by the use of natural materials and exuding what the jury called "a residential quality." Next week, ArchitectureWeek will take a closer look at this and other award winners.

HOK EDUCATES ITS OWN

The architecture firm HOK has long held that sustainable design shouldn’t be limited by geography, culture, industry, building type, or budget. So they work at integrating sustainability expertise throughout the firm, rather than creating a special practice or business unit. One recent step toward this goal was a three-day workshop for 55 of the firm’s practice leaders, designers, and project managers from offices around the world. HOK's Mike Plotnick will explain what this workshop was like and how they hope it will lead to more successes like their habitat-friendly National Wildlife Federation Headquarters. (Photo: Hedrich-Blessing)

NATIVE AMERICAN TREES GO MODERN

Contemporary interpretations of themes from Native American culture grace the recently expanded Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. These architectural elements include a variety of suspended ceiling panels, overhead canopies, and free-standing sculptural tree-like forms. The engineering challenge was to design frameworks, connections, supports, and bracing systems that would both satisfy aesthetic demands and accommodate strategies for fabrication and installation. Next week, William Gorlin, of McLaren Engineering, will explain their "tree" design process.