by ArchitectureWeek

From a lakeside concert pavilion to a product distribution plant, a collection of projects in North Carolina represent the cultural and industrial diversity of this southeastern U.S. state. These and seven other projects are the recipients of 2003 design awards from the North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

One of the two honor awards went to the Grove Arcade in Asheville, by Rowhouse Architects, Inc. and Griffin Architects, PA. The arcade occupies an entire city block, totaling 275,000 square feet (25,000 square meters) on six floors. Originally built in 1929 as a retail arcade with offices above, it was the center of local public life until it was taken over by the federal government during World War II.

In 1991 a new federal building was constructed in Asheville, making the arcade available for redevelopment. The recent result is what the design awards jury referred to as: "A phoenix rising from the ashes, a building brought back to life." Street-level retail again occupies the ground floor, with offices and housing on the upper floors.

The other honor award went to the Auburn HD Transmitter in Garner, designed by the Raleigh firm, Architektur, PA. Sitting on a remote site, the 2000-foot (610-meter) tower serves five of the six commercial television networks in North Carolina's high-tech region known as Research Triangle Park.

The transmitter facility has been described as an "armadillo" because of its exposed steel structure, an exoskeleton from which the mezzanine and roof are suspended. "We love the use of industrial materials for a technological program creating a modern evocation of agrarian forms," said the awards jury.   >>>

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The Grove Arcade in Asheville, by Rowhouse Architects, Inc. and Griffin Architects, PA, was a 2003 recipient of a design award from the North Carolina chapter of the AIA. Photo: Bill Kund The Auburn HD Transmitter in Garner, North Carolina by Architektur, PA. Photo: Jim Sink   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.