Tag: aia

• The American Institute of Architects’ 2019 Housing Awards

  The American Institute of Architects just presented its 2019 Housing Awards. 12 housing projects were recognized across four categories.

  Some of the projects I have written about before — such as the Tiny Tower in North Philadelphia. But most of the projects haven’t been covered on this blog. One of my favorites, among the winners, is the Oak Park Housing project in Sacramento by Johnsen Schamling Architects.

  

  I like that the massing is simple and that it’s a dense — 6 unit — urban infill project in an area of Sacramento that has been struggling with disinvestment for many decades. According to the architect, it is one of the first residential projects in the neighborhood since the Oak Park Riots of 1969.

  Three of the homes front onto the main street. And the other three front onto and are accessed from a rear alley. Each home is just over 1,500 square feet. The project also had “an ambitiously limited construction budget“, so let’s call it an example of good design not having to necessarily cost a lot of money.

  I’m guessing their land costs were reasonable.

  Photo: John J. Macaulay

  2019.05.06

• Leading female architects

  Reed Kroloff has a noteworthy piece in the New York Times talking about how architecture is no longer just a ‘gentleman’s profession’. Though less than a third of AIA (American Institute of Architects) members are females, “offices led or owned by women are creating an ever-wider range of public buildings that address architecture and urbanism in new and invigorating ways”, says Kroloff.

  

  I am thrilled, but not surprised, to see Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang on the list (pictured above). Her firm is the design architect behind our One Delisle proposal. And I was also happy to see Magui Peredo of Estudio Macias Peredo on the list. She is based in Guadalajara and, if you aren’t familiar with her work, I recommend you check it out. I love the materiality of it.

  Image: New York Times

  2018.09.16