by Brian Libby

Three projects received top honors for built architecture in the annual design awards of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA): the Water + Life Museums and Campus in Hemet, California, by Lehrer + Gangi Design + Build; the Art Center College of Design's South Campus in Pasadena, by Daly Genik; and the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland, Maryland, by Morphosis.

The LEED Platinum-certified Water + Life Museums were recently covered in depth in ArchitectureWeek. The AIA/LA jury commented: "To get LEED Platinum is a remarkable accomplishment in itself, and then in a very handsome building of this scale in this location is quite a feat. This is a 100-year building."

Presiding over the honors were jurors Craig Dykers of the acclaimed Oslo-based firm Snøhetta, designers of the new Oslo Opera House and the visitor center for the World Trade Center site; David Lake of Lake/ Flato Architects in Austin, Texas; and Michael Palladino, a longtime principal with the Los Angeles office of Richard Meier & Partners Architects. Twenty-five awards were given to Los Angeles architects for projects across the United States and around the world.   >>>

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE The Art Center College of Design's South Campus building received a 2008 honor award from the Los Angeles AIA chapter. Photo: Benny Chan/ Fotoworks Extra Large Image Daly Genik remodeled a former aircraft wind-tunnel building to create the new Art Center College South Campus in Pasadena, California. Photo: Benny Chan/ Fotoworks Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.