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Commendations

In addition to the three top honorees, four projects received commendations. One of these is the Lavender Sure Start and Children's Nursery for Southampton University in the south London Borough of Merton. Architects John McAslan + Partners were praised for creating a "simple solution, elegantly done, with a clear and consistent use of materials."

Conceived as a "pavilion in the park," the children's center was oriented to promote maximum daylighting and natural ventilation. Shading is provided by a series of louvered canopies. The modular design was prefabricated off-site, delivered on trucks, and assembled in a matter of weeks.

Also receiving a commendation is de Rijke Marsh Morgan for Wansey Street Housing in London. The apartment block at once satisfies requirements for density, planning flexibility, sustainability, accessibility, ownership, and security. The jury stated: "It's playful and clever and serious at the same time — very few people can pull that off. It deals with complex issues and does it rather well."

The north elevation of the development gradually changes color while stepping up from 3-1/2 to 5 stories from east to west, though a transition of levels from the Victorian terrace to that of the Edwardian Town Hall. The louvered south elevation faces a communal garden, towards which the living spaces are oriented.

The Ruth Deech Building at St. Anne's College, Oxford, by KPF, provides 110 student bedrooms, three 25-seat seminar rooms, and an 80-seat lecture hall. The building frames a new sequence of spaces with its older neighbors, maintaining coherence despite the campus' architectural diversity.

On the south side, the building presents a long elevation scaled to reflect Hartland House opposite; together the two buildings establish an entrance court for the college. To the north, the scale of the new building is broken down into a series of pavilions, matching the scale of nearby villas. The jury commented: "There's a place for quiet architecture; this is a large building that's broken down and handled quite carefully on the site with subtle moves, beautifully detailed."

The St. John's Therapy Centre, by Buschow Henley, creates a new civic building on St. Johns Hill in London. It brings together under one roof community-based therapy services for accident and stroke victims, a mental health unit for drug and alcohol treatment, and a general practitioner clinic.

The new concrete-framed, wood-clad center is built around two courtyards creating a private outlook for most of the clinical rooms. Internal circulation is organized around these courtyards, giving the center a distinct character, as well as good daylight and easy wayfinding. The jury commented on the building's "powerful street presence [which] communicates positive messages about health to the wider public, including issues of access and visibility."

The AIA/UK also announced two Noel Hill Student Travel Awards for Aimee O'Carroll and Emily Penn, both from Cambridge University. O'Carroll will study public space in Japan, and Penn will travel to China to observe their efforts in sustainability.

The awards jury included: Bob Allies, Allies and Morrison Architects; Mary Bowman, Gustafson Porter; Cécile Brisac, Brisac Gonzalez Architects; Chris Carroll, ARUP Advanced Geometry Unit; Robert Mull, Department of Architecture, London Metropolitan University; Peter Murray, Wordsearch; David Partridge, Argent; Deborah Saunt, DSDHA; and Graham Stirk, Richard Rogers Partnership.

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Maggie's Centre, in Kircaldy, Fife, Scotland, by Zaha Hadid Architects, was one of the winners of the AIA/UK awards for design excellence. Photo: Chris Casgoine Inside Maggie's Centre. Photo: Chris Casgoine Maggie's Centre site plan. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects Lavender Sure Start and Children's Nursery in Merton, London, by John McAslan + Partners, received a commendation from the AIA/UK. Photo: Richard Bryant/ Arcaid Wansey Street Housing in London, by de Rijke Marsh Morgan, street view. Photo: Jonas Lencer Wansey Street Housing in London, by de Rijke Marsh Morgan, rear facades. Photo: Jonas Lencer The Ruth Deech Building at St. Anne's College, Oxford, by KPF. Photo: Justin Piperger The Ruth Deech Building. Photo: H.G. Esch The St. John's Therapy Centre, London, by Buschow Henley. Photo: Nick Kane St. John's Therapy Centre. Photo: Nick Kane   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.