AIA National Re-Form Competition Winners, From a Swinging Lamp to a Curved Spoon

Architects and designers from all around the nation were invited to tackle social and civil problems through provocative designs with the first annual Re-Form competition. Presented by the Washington, D.C. chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) and the Emerging Architects Committee (EAC), the competition received over 30 submissions, ranging from smaller household items to larger-than-life affordable housing solutions. On November 9, the six-panel jury of architects, designers, and entrepreneurs presented the winners of the Grand Prize, Young Professional Prize, Student Prize, and People's Choice Prize. Each submission was judged on creativity and innovation, contemporary relevance, aesthetic merit, and constructability and suitability of design for intended use. The winner of the People's Choice award was determined by attendees of the award ceremony on November 9 at the District Architecture Center. Only designers within the U.S. and its territories were considered. The sponsors of the competition were Price Modern and Haworth. Below, take a look at the award winners, finalists, their designs, and the jury who decided on them.

Grand Prize Winner · Young Professional Winner
Student Winner · People's Choice Winner
See the Finalists · Meet the Jury

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

Ryan Pieper

Visiting Assistant Professor
Virginia Tech
MFA in Furniture and Product Design at Cranbrook Academy of Art, BFA in Furniture Design and Manufacturing at Kendall College of Art and Design

The Swing Lamp is able to turn 360 degrees indefinitely with the ability to dim depending on its pointed position. The owner of the lamp is able to program the object to dim, brighten, turn on, or turn off in different directions. The inspiration for this design was from two sources: archaic torches that were once installed on walls for light, and the decreasing amount of energy and movement required to interact with devices.

Prizes Awarded: A trip to the ICFF Show in New York City next May with Price Modern. Also, tours of Poltrona Frau, Cappellini, and Cassina. The winner also receives a lunch mentorship/consultation from the panelists and a $3,000 Haworth Collection / Poltrona Frau Group gift certificate.

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YOUNG PROFESSIONAL WINNER:

Kevin Jones, Alex Barrette
Founders
Void Design Haus

As a step towards diminishing childhood obesity, this curved spoon was designed to promote self-feeding for toddlers, an action that is proven to diminish potential overeating. The spoon ergonomically fits into toddlers' hands, causing the action of positioning the spoon into a bowl and into their mouths to feel more natural. There is also a curved fork available. The designers expect to find a manufacturer by the end of the month.

Prizes Awarded: A trip to the ICFF Show in New York City next May with Price Modern. Also, tours of Poltrona Frau, Cappellini, and Cassina.

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STUDENT WINNER:

Olivia Morgan
Model Shop Manager
ZGF Architects LLP
BA in Architecture at University of Virginia

Mag•net is the perfect go-to solution for those searching for creative storage options in small spaces. Constructed out of rust-resistant stainless steel with magnets on each of the mesh's four corners, this one object is able to be formed into almost anything, from a bowl to a spice rack and from a tablet holder to a jewelry rack.

Prizes Awarded: A trip to the ICFF Show in New York City next May with Price Modern. Also, tours of Poltrona Frau, Cappellini, and Cassina.

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PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER:

Alex Taylor
Architectural Designer
WDG Architecture
MA in Architecture at Virginia Tech, BS in Architecture at Kent State University

Why does a chair only have to be a chair? The PaTaPaTa ladder chair is able to take on a myriad of forms, from a recliner to a table to a baby gate.

Prize Awarded: A piece from the Haworth collection.

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SEE THE FINALISTS:

Yu Zhang
Washington, D.C.'s Height Act limits buildings to be no higher than 130 feet. Because of this, there is a strain on the amount of space capable of utilizing to build residential buildings. This design, called "Street Housing," finds a way to create extra residential space in a smaller section of land.

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Lauren Brosius
Intern Architect
EwingCole
BA in Architecture at Philadelphia University

Because of an inefficient use of land, the average RDP home displaces families and creates a strain on both infrastructure and safety. This design finds a solution to this issue with an infrastructural wall that can infill at a density of 120 homes per 100,000-square-feet. Each home would have a "private bathroom block" with a shower, toilet, sink, and laundry sink. A solar hot water heater system would also be installed.

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Hui-Rong Liu, Chi Hsuan (Vita) Wang
BA in Architecture at The Cooper Union

In an attempt to make intersections interactive, Walk-On projects lights, colors, and patterns onto the street's center and corners. According to the proposal, the lights react to the number of pedestrians and the intensity of the movement on the road.

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Richard Abbot
Designers have begun to show interest in finding ways to incorporate natural elements in architecture. With the Wall Flower, architects will be able to incorporate these natural elements brick by brick. Vases are able to be inserted into brick walls with blocks made out of two pieces of black oak and a vase made out of a small steel rod, hollow steel tube, and a piece of cork.

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Gabrielle Pearce, Daria Gelman,
Nabila Sarkar

Students of the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center designed cylindrical hooks that can be inserted into the holes found in the school's plywood chairs. The hook allows people to hang their personal belongings and can be easily removed and placed in other holes and other chairs. The title of the design, "[infille]Hook," reflects how the object was inspired by infill houses.

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Ryan Pieper
Visiting Assistant Professor
Virginia Tech
MFA in Furniture and Product Design at Cranbrook Academy of Art and BFA in Furniture Design and Manufacturing at Kendall College of Art and Design

The Wellness Daybed allows workers to be able to be able to sleep on the cushion when in need of a place to sleep in their office. Below the bed is a rack that can hold sheets, pillows, and other items. The fabric is both antimicrobial and stain resistant.

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MEET THE JURY:

Giulio Cappellini
Architect / Designer
Cappellini

Projects Completed Include, But Not Limited To:
· Luxor
· Bong
· Gong
Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· Chi E' Chi Award
· Pieces in Centre Pompidou and Musee Des Arts Decoratives, Museum Fuer Angewandte Kunst, the Victoria Albert Museum, the Galleria D'Arte Moderna, and the permanent furniture collection of MoMa New York
Education:
· Studied architecture at Politecnico di Milano
· Studied marketing at Bocconi University

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Brian Le Gette
CEO and Co-Founder
180's, Zero Chroma

Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· Entrepreneur of the Year from E&Y
· Top 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders Award from the Boston Business Journal
· Top 40 Under 40 Award from Baltimore Magazine
· International Business Award from WTCI
Education:
· MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School
· BSEE in Electrical Engineering from University of Maryland College Park

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Ehren Gaag
Architect / Furniture & Product Designer
Gensler

Education:
· BA in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati

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Melissa Moore
Founder / Primary Designer
Nikkuu

Projects Completed Include, But Not Limited To:
· Light Shelf
· Mizuu Dual 1.0 Table
· Basketuu Bin
Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· Exhibitor at New York International Gift Fair Accent on Design
· Vendor at SuperMarket, Artists and Fleas, Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair, and ID Pop Up Shop
Education:
· BA in Biology from St. Mary's College of Maryland

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Nicole Runde
Product Developer
Emeco

Projects Completed Include, But Not Limited To:
· Cove Bench Series
· Nicole Collection Cork Planters
· Benetton Flagship Retail Store Design
Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· Nominee for Best of Year Award for Contract Seating Design from Interior Design Magazine
· Undergraduate Valedictorian from Savannah College of Art and Design
· Wahrman Furniture Design Scholarship and Combined Honors Scholarship from Savannah College of Art and Design
· Publication in Lark Books
Education:
· BFA in Furniture Design from Savannah College of Art and Design

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Hiro Isogai
Managing Principal / Project Designer
WDG Interior Architecture

Projects Completed Include, But Not Limited To:
· Sushi Zen, New York
· Army Test and Evaluation Command Headquarters, Maryland
· 1200 East-West Highway, Maryland
· Ashton at Judiciary Square, Washington, D.C.
· Japan Information and Culture Center, Washington, D.C.
Accolades Won Include, But Not Limited To:
· Delta Associates Award for Best Boutique Project, Mid-Atlantic
· Designer of the Year for ADEC Southeast's Commercial Design Division
· Award of Excellence for Best Interiors Up to 10,000-Square-Feet from NAIOP Maryland
· Publications in Atlanta Magazine, Business Week, and Contract Design
Education:
· BS in Interior Architecture from Southern Illinois University

· AIA l DC [Official Website]
· AIA|DC, Price Modern Announce Nationwide Design Competition [Curbed DC]