AIA Toledo’s biannual Design Awards recognize design excellence for private and public works which have shaped our local, regional, and national communities with their creativity, imagination, and innovation.
The 2023 Design Awards Jury Chair was Tima Bell, Associate AIA, co-founding Principal of Relativity Architects. Tima studied at Rice University and the Southern California Institute for Architecture. His passion of art led him to the practice of architecture. From straw-bale construction to various high-end hospitality projects and from motion picture studios to master plans, he is vigilant throughout the process to achieve balance between quality, style and efficiency. Joining Tima on the jury were, Eric Stotts, AIA, a Halifax-based Architect and Principal of Stotts Architecture, and Eric Ryder, Director of Design at Baker Barrios Architects in Tampa.
Updated and expanded categories brought in a record of forty-one submissions from eleven firms. There were 7 Categories in this year’s Design Awards program:
Architecture: New Construction
Citation Award
Project: Perrysburg Boat Club
Firm: MacPherson Architects Inc / 2MA
Client: Perrysburg Boat Club
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Photographer: Ryan Southen Photography
Description: Completed in 2021, the new riverfront PBC building navigates the steep and narrow site on two levels. With the entry above along the multi-use path, the upper floor provides proximity and observability over the water side activities and houses Clubhouse spaces, including a large function room, kitchenette, service counters, and restrooms. The simple, crisp, enclosed 2,200 SF trapezoid rectangle features expansive windows and panoramic views of the river. The nautical bridge deck atmosphere hovers out over the water and the supporting structure allows the white volume to cantilever, adding to the floating effect. A long 800 SF deck extends the wide footprint outside and stairs lead to the lower river level. The upper structures form a canopy over the water bulkhead terrace, providing shade and protection for the varied activities leading to the boat docks.
Jury Comments: A well-defined Site Plan regarding the river approach. Simple and competent given the entitlement constraints. Excellence in simplicity.
Architecture: New Construction
Citation Award
Project: Ann & Thomas Hoaglin Wellness Center
Firm: The Collaborative
Client: Denison University
Location: Granville, OH
Photographer: Maconochie Photography
Description: The Hoaglin Wellness Center is a 16,000sf facility combining traditional clinical and counseling spaces with flexible, multipurpose wellness spaces. The adaptability in programming will suit the needs of today’s students while also considering the students of the future. The plan is organized around a central “living room” which is accessible from both the north and south sides of the site. The wellness programs are located west of the “living room” while the clinical and counseling spaces are located to the east. The building site was intentionally selected to allow for opportunities expanding programming from the interior through to exterior patios and gardens inhabiting over 20 different native and adaptive plant species. The Hoaglin Wellness Center is more than the traditional campus clinic or counseling office, it is a place to catch up with friends, a spot to play board games after class, a studio to do morning yoga or a garden patio to gather around in the evening.
Jury Comments: Good Interior and Exterior integration with an excellent focus on light gathering. The landscaping blended perfectly with the building design.
Architecture: New Construction
Architecture: Renovation and Addition
Honor Award
Project: KeyBank Discovery Theater
Firm: The Collaborative
Client: Imagination Station
Location: Toledo, OH
Photographer: Maconochie Photography
Description: The 8,200sf KeyBank Discovery Theater addition is a premium, large-format venue, attracting families, young adults, lifelong learners, school groups, travelers and businesses to downtown Toledo for education and entertainment. Despite the lack of architectural identity in the original exterior design, Imagination Station is a destination which draws thousands of visitors from across the region. As the concept for the theatre evolved, the team focused on creating clarity and simplicity with the new addition. So much of what defines Imagination Station is experiential. The leadership wanted a new architectural expression that evoked the same creativity and inventiveness as their exhibits inside. A simple box containing the theatre program is clad with a supplemental shroud of perforated metal panels. Both sunlight and artificial light are leveraged to cast shadows and flashes on the metal panel surfaces giving the effect of an active and kinetic façade throughout the day. The primary entrance is expressed with transparent glazing showcasing current STEM exhibits and new retail programming.
Jury Comments: The parti implemented was bold and thoughtful. The project elevated the architecture on a busy corridor. It took a brave solution to establish this program, and was done so brilliantly with respect to context, accessibility and aesthetic.
Architecture: Renovation and Addition
Citation Award
Project: The Wonder Bread Building
Firm: Thomas Porter Architects
Client: Ark Restoration
Location: Toledo, OH
Photographer: Lang Thombre
Description: The Wonder Bread Building, located at Summit and Elm Streets, in the Historic Vistula District of Toledo, was home to The Continental Baking Company. The building was built in 1924 in the Commercial Style with red brick and with Art Deco-esque cast stone accents. It still features many of the historic details associated with the famous bakery brand. The utilization of LISC funding, and federal and state historic tax credits has allowed the owners to be a catalyst for rehabilitation in a historic neighborhood damaged by blight and economic hardship. The renovation included window replacement, restoration of skylights, exterior masonry repair, roof replacement, construction of private and communal roof decks, and a full interior renovation. The completed building features 33 market rate apartment units, with interior parking and storage for tenants, and leasing offices for the building owner. The original metal roof trusses remain exposed and some of the common hallways feature original exposed brick and pine ceiling boards.
Jury Comments: Very simply, this design did what needed to be done. We need more projects like this in the Midwest. Developers take note, this is how to convert industrial into residential.
Interior Design
Honor Award
Project: The Foundry
Firm: The Collaborative
Client: Ottawa Hills Local Schools
Location: Ottawa Hills, OH
Photographer: Matthew McNulty
Description: The project began as a desire to explore ways to expand a modest 1930’s era library located on the second floor of a historic High School into some adjacent, but constrained, classrooms. The goal was to reimagine the space as a Learning Commons. The Foundry’s name came from the students. They envisioned a space where they could gather and work both individually and collaboratively in order to strengthen themselves and, in many ways, forge their futures. The overall aesthetic for the design solution was driven by this new name and all that it implies. The space is daylit by north facing clerestory windows in the original high bay courtyard. What was initially envisioned as a light and airy interior space was adapted to take on a moodier feel to better reflect the Foundry theme. The dominant materials are a blend of naturally patinaed hot rolled steel, brick and concrete, with wood incorporated throughout for balanced warmth. The structure has been exposed throughout and an emphasis on tactile and textured materials for the primary walls of the courtyard zone were developed.
Jury Comments: Loved the esoteric narrative - it appeared to be a wonderfully organic process, from the existing courtyard creation down to the name. Excellent blending of industrial architectural detailing with contemporary furnishing and finishes. Manages to be open, yet directional in circulation.
Interior Design
Citation Award
Project: Magee Marsh Visitor Center
Firm: Buehrer Group Architecture and Engineering, Inc.
Client: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Location: Oak Harbor, Ohio
Photographer: Anthony Tscherne
Description: The Magee Marsh Visitor Center has historically provided a location for Ohio’s sportsmen and women to meet and learn information on the birds that nest or pass through the marsh. The yearly “Biggest Week in American Birding” and the influx of people it brings brought to the attention of ODNR the need to modernize its visitor center. The design strived to focus on the education of every patron by walking the viewer through the history of the Marsh, bird migration, a large rookery, the various ecosystems of the lake shore, and the various bird species from the Marsh on the first floor. The second floor incorporates various lookouts for bird watchers, access to perimeter decks, and a multipurpose/gallery space. The façade of the structure was entirely replaced to be more resilient to the variable climate of the Lake Erie Shore. Large sections of bird friendly glazing were added to maximize views out into the marsh and increase natural daylight into the space.
Jury Comments: This renovation was inspired and elevated design. The program became more immersive and provided an enhanced and thorough experience though the revised circulation. This project is the one we'd most like to visit. Love the tree.
Small Project
Honor Award
Project: Phoenix Coffee - Coventry
Firm: mADE LLC
Client: Phoenix Coffee Co.
Location: Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Photographer: Sergiu Stoian
Description: The design challenge was to create exterior seating on a sidewalk with an 8% slope. Our approach was to develop one sinuous bench that created the seat bottom, back, and floor allowing it to work in tandem with the sloped sidewalk below. The seating also needed to express continuity both visually and materially. The ideal material would hold up through the seasonal climate, be simple to fabricate, and be comfortable, we chose to use western red cedar. The series of cedar slats that form the seating surface are segmented together using dovetail joints and a steel dowel. This joint method allowed for each bench to continue into the next as they worked their way down the slope. The simple connection detail also allowed for quick fabrication and installation. Strategic angles for the seat back and the seat bottom were designed to offer a balance between a relaxed and alert position. The overall execution of the seating is consistent with the ambiance of the coffee shop interior and stays true to the social culture of artisan coffee. Adding another experience to Phoenix Coffee’s space benefits both them and the surrounding area.
Jury Comments: We loved the innovative way it dealt with the slope of the site. These are details to emulate. Appreciated the way the design adapted to the environment with simplicity. Dealt with a clear site issue with a defined response.
Special Jury Award for Adaptive Reuse
Project: Westminster Church
Firm: Thomas Porter Architects
Client: Toledo Metropolitan Development
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Photographer: Lang Thombre
Description: The church was founded on 1870 when 41 parish members commissioned the construction of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Construction was completed in 1873 and is an example of High-Victorian Gothic style. The intent of the project is to create an anchor for revitalization within the Historic Vistula Neighborhood and providing new opportunities for economic growth within the City of Toledo and the Downtown areas. With the help of state and federal historic tax credits, the project was made possible. Upon inspection the original church ceiling was discovered under an early 1900's tongue and groove wooden drop ceiling that was added when the church was converted to a gymnasium. The drop ceiling was removed and the original ceiling was restored. The church now serves as office space to house a local technology company. The church's historic features remain intact or were restored. They purposefully contrast with the contemporary executive offices, and new mezzanine added to the south wall within the nave overlooking the open office areas and collaboration spaces. The brick addition features two commercial retail spaces, and repair/ loading areas to support the IT company and retail spaces within the church.
Jury Comments: What appears to be a difficult project brought to an excellent resolution. Beautiful spaces. Thoughtful and provocative contrasts with the historic and contemporary.
Student
Citation Award
Project: Brown Field to Public Space - A City's Adaptation to a Post Industrial Way of Life
Student: Yazan Sahawneh
Client: City of Toledo
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Description: This architecture design project is based on the theme of a planetarium. An educational institution reconstructed as a new wave of information and connectivity; connectivity with one's
self, society, and the universe. The project proposes a scenario of connectivity and revitalization of urban brown fields to juxtaposed along an iconic historic anchor in the city of Toledo, Ohio. The site cradles Swan Creek within the city limits. Being a rust belt city, Toledo is known as The Glass City and implores itself in education to the nth degree with educational and civic institutions promoting science, music, and fine arts. This design project amalgamates differing museum typologies into an educational institution with an emphasis on science and space exploration. The design strategy integrates tacit knowledge from multiple architecture studios to identify societal needs and apply strategies that curate a program centered around site strategies - brown field mitigation, urban development and infill, and building integration - circulation, structure, envelope, MEP.
Jury Comments: Excellent Site Plan consideration and well-presented axonometric drawings. A sexy yet subtle design.
Architecture: New Construction – 9 total project entries
New construction projects of any typology.
Architecture: Renovation & Addition – 12 total project entries
Additions to existing buildings or projects involving extensive remodeling that change the character of the original building.
Interior Design – 9 total project entries
Projects focusing primarily on the design and development of the interior environment. Projects can be new construction or renovations to existing buildings.
Small Project – 3 total project entries
Small project construction, renovation, object, work of environmental art or architectural design element up to 5,000 gsf.
Unbuilt Project – 2 total project entries
Projects that have not been built, but reflect significant design merit or are speculative in nature. Projects submitted in this category may not be submitted for future design awards if the project were to be built at a later date.
25 Year – 0 total project entries
This award, recognizing architectural design of enduring significance, is conferred on a project that has stood the test of time for 25 to 35 years prior to the current year, that deserves special recognition for its influence, distinctiveness, enhancement of the built environment, and that have contributed meaningfully to American life and architecture.
Student – 6 total project entries
Projects completed by students enrolled in an architectural program and work completed in an architectural design studio or as part of a competition entry. If the project is team-based, all team member names should be included. In addition, the faculty member responsible for the studio should be noted. Project must have been completed in the last 12 months.