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Baton Rouge AIA Awards by ArchitectureWeek The architects of historic Baton Rouge, Louisiana celebrated their built heritage this summer. The Baton Rouge AIA "Rose Awards" were given to local firms for recent examples of outstanding architecture, whether new or renovated. One of the award recipients was Remson-Haley Architects for their renovation of a downtown office building. The design goals of the renovation were to establish the building as a recognized landmark marking the edge of the downtown district and to restore the building to a state of dignity, though not precisely to its historic detail. The Holy Ghost Catholic Church, owned by the Diocese of Baton Rouge and its congregation, was designed by Holly and Smith Architects. In the historic town of Hammond, the 1000-seat church was also fitted with a 150-seat daily mass chapel and gathering space. Holly and Smith were also awarded for their renovation of a historic 1928 vaudeville theater, which is now the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. A third winner was Chenevert Songy Rodi Soderberg Inc., for a new 25,000-square-foot (2300-square-meter) corporate headquarters and 90,000-square-foot (8400-square-meter) warehouse and regional distribution facility for the Mockler Beverage Company. The firm acknowledges the challenges of designing for the diverse functions of administration and manufacturing. However, they note, "Creating spaces that are multifunctional and are as equally well designed is intrinsic to good architecture." Baton Rouge AIA presented the awards in a ceremony in July 2002. Unlike many AIA chapters, which select design award winners by jury, these projects were selected by vote of the architects' local peers.
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