by ArchitectureWeek

One of the most diverse regional chapters of the American Institute of Architects has recently announced its annual — and diverse — design awards. In traditions of the Northwest Style and of the Far East, these projects represent a respect for craft and sensitivity to their environment.

Nine projects received Awards of Honor. Of these, three went to projects previously reported in ArchitectureWeek. These include Chicken Point Cabin in Northern Idaho, by Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, buildings by NBBJ on the campus of the University of Washington Bothell/ Cascadia Community College, and Agosta House by Patkau Architects Ltd.

Corporate architecture is represented by the new 2.3-million-square-foot (214,000-square-meter) addition for the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, designed by Thompson Vaivoda & Associates. This corporate campus, though suburban in location, hints of urban design through its central plaza for worker interaction and special events.

Surrounding the Nike plaza are four new buildings, for offices and studios for footwear design, development, and product testing. Contributing to the collegiate atmosphere is a "campus union" building, with restaurants, shops, meeting rooms, and library. The pristine white precast concrete and glazed facades were described by the jury as "perfection that could be overwhelming."   >>>

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Nike World Headquarters, by Thompson Vaivoda & Associates, was a recipient of a 2003 honor award from the AIA Northwest/Pacific Region. Photo: Strode Photography Keystone Building by LMN Architects. Photo: Ed LaCasse, Doug Scott   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.