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Out of 24 projects, ranging from urban design to interior architecture, the winner in the end for AIA|DC's 2015 Chapter Design People's Choice Award went to none other than ikon.5 architects' Healy Family Student Center at Georgetown University. While raising awareness of architectural talent in Washington, D.C. like Shalom Baranes Associates and Travis Price Architects, AIA|DC hoped for the award to influence out-of-town developers to rely on local firms. The Center has also received two additional awards from AIA|DC, including Excellence in Interior Architecture and The Presidential Citation for Design and Wellbeing.
Architect Magazine reported that the renovation and addition to the building transformed the existing residence hall into a living room with "Hoya Saxa" stones, study and casual living spaces, and a "Saxa" living wall with 12 individual study rooms. There is also a Riverside Terrace that overlooks the Potomac River. Other need-to-know features of this student center include its art gallery, music, and dance studios, 350-seat ballroom, Bulldog Tavern, and Hilltoss, a salad and smoothie cafe. Some of the design highlights in this LEED Gold certified student center include that it has a 200-foot-long skylight, automatically controlled lighting levels that depend on the natural light entering the space, and an exterior made of a custom bronze solar screen.
Other projects ikon.5 architects has under their belt include the School of Art and Design at the New York State College of Ceramics, the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Montclair, New Jersey, and the Hockessin Public Library in New Castle, Delaware.
· ikon.5 architects [Official Website]
· AIA Raises Awareness on D.C. Talent with People's Choice Award [Curbed DC]
· Healey Family Student Center | Georgetown University [Architect Magazine]