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More Cupcakes

For More, a high-end cupcake shop in Chicago, David Woodhouse Architects transformed a tiny, 550-square-foot (51-square-meter) retail space into a restrained yet alluring boutique. To counter the blandness of the unalterable sidewalk facade, the architects paired swirls of cream-colored neon lighting and translucent acrylic to elegantly evoke couture baking.

Inside, the cupcakes are displayed above counter level, in shallow shelving of burnished stainless steel and acrylic. As well as evoking the sense of luxury objects in a boutique or museum, this approach also places the cupcakes within site of passersby. The jury called the display system "exquisite."

Saarinen Law

At the University of Chicago, OWP/P undertook a major renovation of the D'Angelo Law Library, designed in 1956 by Eero Saarinen. The architects sought to respect Saarinen's vision, working within the building's grid and with a limited finish palette while reconfiguring and modernizing spaces to foster more collaborative and interactive learning.

A large portion of the stacks was removed, opening up space for computer terminals, study spaces, circulation, a faculty multipurpose room, and a large gathering space. The law school's student services were consolidated on the third floor of the six-story tower, and connected to the second-floor reading room by a new sculptural stair. To add warmth, acoustical wood ceilings and enhanced lighting were installed.

The awards jury praised the "exciting" interiors and the successful "hierarchy of space."

SOM's Visions for Chicago

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) was recognized by AIA Chicago for two urban design projects: the Chicago Riverwalk Main Branch Framework Plan and the Chicago 2016 Olympic Master Plan.

For the Riverwalk plan, SOM developed an actionable plan with specific recommendations to guide a multi-year implementation program along the Main Branch of the Chicago River. The plan includes guidelines for the construction of a continuous walkway from Lake Michigan to Lake Street, extending an existing path, as well as ramp and elevator improvements to establish universal access between street and river levels, loading and storage spaces to support riverside business operations, and habitat improvements, along with conceptual designs for a new green space, public market, and pedestrian bridge.

The jury called the plan a "very important first step for Chicago."

For Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, SOM coordinated with dozens of architects, planners, engineers, and construction firms to prepare a physical plan. Most of the sports venues were to be located near downtown and the lakefront, facilitating pedestrian access, with transit links to more-distant venues. The jury called the plan "impressive."

The plan was centered on a proposed Olympic Village slated for the site of the Michael Reese Hospital Campus — a plan premised on the demolition of almost the entire hospital campus, including several buildings by Walter Gropius. That demolition is currently underway, despite the failure of Chicago's Olympic bid. Two Gropius works have already been destroyed, and the demolition of a third began on November 16, 2009, according to the Gropius in Chicago Coalition.

Additional Awards

AIA Chicago gave its 2009 Design Excellence Awards on October 30. In addition to the 11 honor awards, the chapter awarded 15 citations of merit and four special recognitions across the four categories of distinguished building, divine detail, interior architecture, and regional and urban design. This is the 54th year of the awards program.

The 2009 awards jury comprised four separate teams, one for each of the four categories.

Regional & Urban Design: Alex Krieger, FAIA, Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Edward Uhlir, FAIA, Millennium Park Inc., Chicago; Susan Hickey, AIA, Gensler, Chicago.   >>>

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Murphy/ Jahn designed the 18-story Hegau Tower office project in Singen, Germany. Photo: Rainer Viertlböck A muted material palette, including exposed concrete columns and walls, is evident inside Hegau Tower . Photo: Rainer Viertlböck SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Operable modular sunshades on the southwest facade of Hegau Tower lend the otherwise uniform facade a sense of liveliness. Photo: Rainer Viertlböck A new public library for Champaign, Illinois, was designed by Ross Barney Architects. Image: Craig Duncan/ © Hedrich Blessing A vivid bamboo finish contrasts with the more muted surroundings to visually identify the main staircase inside the new Champaign Public Library. Image: Craig Duncan/ © Hedrich Blessing Its design for the sleek, wood-paneled More cupcake shop in a small ground-floor Chicago retail space earned David Woodhouse Architects recognition in the interior architecture category. Photo: Christopher Barrett A major interior renovation of the University of Chicago's D'Angelo Law Library was designed by OWP/P. Photo: Christopher Barrett/ © Hedrich Blessing When closed, new pivoting glass walls inside the D'Angelo Law Library echo the crystalline geometry of the building's facade, designed by Eero Saarinen. When open, the doors all but disappear, merging two spaces into one. Photo: Christopher Barrett/ © Hedrich Blessing The Chicago Riverwalk Main Branch Framework Plan, a multi-year scheme for major additions and improvements to the pedestrian paths along the main branch of the Chicago River, was one of two planning projects by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to receive recognition from AIA Chicago. Image: SOM Extra Large Image SOM's design for Chicago's failed 2016 Olympic hosting bid included the construction of new facilities on Meigs Field, on a peninsula in Lake Michigan, adjacent to Soldier Field. Image: SOM Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.