by ArchitectureWeek

In creating the Horno³: Museo Del Acero in Monterrey, Mexico, Grimshaw Architects converted an abandoned 1960s steel blast furnace facility into a museum of industrial history. The architects balanced historic preservation with reinvention and expansion to establish a dramatic new landmark.

This Mexican museum is one of 25 projects honored by the American Institute of Architects in its AIA Institute Honor Awards for 2009. Recognized for excellence in architecture, interior architecture, and urban design, the award-winners include homes and churches, parks and office buildings, student centers and urban developments, located throughout the United States and as far afield as Lebanon and China.

We've already covered two of the award-winning projects in ArchitectureWeek feature articles: the New York Times Building in New York City, by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and FXFowle Architects, and the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California, by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).

Several other projects are also covered in a previous ArchitectureWeek, including the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center at Parsons in New York City, by Lyn Rice Architects (AIA New York/ BSA 2008 Building Type Awards); Tulane's Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life in New Orleans, by VJAA (AIA/ COTE Top Ten Green Projects 2008); the Gary Comer Youth Center in Chicago, by John Ronan Architects (AIA Chicago 2007 awards); and the Plaza Apartments in San Francisco, by Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects and Paulett Taggart Architects (AIA Housing Awards 2007).   >>>

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Horno3: Museo del Acero in Monterrey, Mexico, designed by Grimshaw Architects, received one of the AIA Institute Honor Awards for 2009. Photo: Paúl Rivera/ Archphoto Extra Large Image Made from a 1960s blast furnace, Horno3 is now a museum of industrial history. Photo: Paúl Rivera/ Archphoto Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.