Three of Our Projects Win IIDA Design Excellence Awards in 2022

Design Excellence Award Winner: Government

Princeton Municipal Center
Princeton, Texas

Previously using a small storefront for its administrative headquarters, the City of Princeton wanted a civic center that better welcomed its community and united all municipal departments under one roof. Incorporating elements like dark velour brick that references the site’s Blackland soil, the contemporary design pays homage to Princeton’s rich agricultural history and supports the city’s vision to “progress with purpose” by looking to the future without forgetting the past. Floor-to-ceiling glass exterior walls emphasize the accessibility of local officials, also providing abundant natural light and a calming connection to nature for employees and visitors. The new, highly visible design hopes to inspire pride in local identity and local possibility, minimizing barriers between residents and the city officials who serve them.

Design Excellence Award Winner: Education Research (Design)

Austin Community College Highland Campus, Phase II
Austin, Texas

Perkins&Will and Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects designed this LEED Gold certified adaptive reuse project. ACC Highland Phase II took a vacant, 1970s-era mall interior and transformed it into an economic asset to the community, providing equitable access to education and hands-on training for the region’s most in-demand careers. To turn a cavernous, double-height atrium with no natural lighting into an inviting space, designers split the mall’s footprint in two and removed a slice. The resulting Paseo connects students to nature and the school to the community while putting learning on display. This transparency encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation while strengthening the campus’s social infrastructure for the many first-generation students who attend Austin Community College’s specialty programs.