Design Award Winners Announced
HONOR - (Built/New Construction)
Denali Discover Center – Healy, Alaska
Architect Firm: ECI
Client: Alaska Tourism Development
Consultants: EIC (Anchorage); Huddle (Anchorage); Interior Trails (Healy); Jernstrom Engineering (Anchorage);
PND (Anchorage)
Photo: Kevin G Smith (Anchorage)
Jury Rationale: § Attention to detail § Proper proportions § Maximizing natural light § Use of natural materials § Site sensitive
AIA Alaska is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 Design Awards for Excellence in Architecture, the profession’s highest recognition of works that exemplify excellence in architecture, interior architecture, and urban design.
Each year, architects throughout Alaska submit projects that they feel are exceptionally responsive to their clients’ needs or exhibit design excellence above and beyond competent design. These submittals include a description of the project, architectural drawings, and photography. To ensure the judging of the awards is unbiased, AIA Alaska Design Awards are always judged by prestigious architects from another state or region.
AWARDS
- Honor — Highest Tier Award Level
- Merit — Second Tier Award Level
- Citation — Third Tier Award Level
Five (5) projects were selected from seven (7) submissions in the following categories:
- Built/New Construction
- Additions / Renovations / Adaptive Reuse
- Unbuilt
These projects were recognized during AIA Alaska’s Awards Banquet held at the Wedgewood Resort in Fairbanks.
Architects from prestigious firms in Idaho served as the jury, awarding one (1) HONOR AWARD, two (2) MERIT AWARDS, and two (2) CITATION AWARDS for projects that best exemplify Alaska’s northern design requirements, sustainability, site/context sensitivity, forward-thinking and innovative design.
Be sure to scroll down to view all the awardees!
MERIT – (Additions/Renovations/Adaptive Reuse)
Kodiak Marketplace Core – Kodiak, Alaska
Architect Firm: Nvision Architecture, Inc.
Client: Kodiak Area Native Association
Consultants: DCI Engineers (Anchorage); RSA Engineering (Anchorage)
Photo: Kyle Aramburo, Hybrid Color (Anchorage)
Jury Rationale: Appropriate use of materials | Maintains original DNA | Multi-use design | Creative use of adding space | Attention to details | Dramatic before and after | Excellent 2nd floor addition
Click on the image at right to view larger.
MERIT – (Additions/Renovations/Adaptive Reuse)
Willow Public Library and Community Center – Willow, Alaska
Architect Firm: ECI
Client: Mat-su Borough
Consultants: Huddle (Anchorage); PND (Anchorage); RSA (Anchorage)
Photo: Chris Arend (Anchorage)
Jury Rationale: Relates well to existing building | Attention to detail | Well organized MEP systems | Acknowledges existing context | Use of natural materials | Welcoming interior
Click on the image at right to view larger.
CITATION – (Built/New Construction)
Qavartarvik Customer Lodging – Bethel, Alaska
Architect Firm: Design Alaska, Inc
Client: Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
Consultants: Shannon & Wilson, Inc (Fairbanks); Arctic Food Service design, LLC (Anchorage)
Photo: Wayde Carroll Photography (Anchorage)
Jury Rationale: | Efficient Design | Proper design for context | Attention to detail | Thoughtful Use of materials | Attention on people spaces Rationale: | Efficient Design | Proper design for context | Attention to detail | Thoughtful Use of materials | Attention on people spaces
Click on the image at right to view larger.
CITATION – (Unbuilt)
Alaska Native Medical Center Emergency Services Expansion – Anchorage, Alaska
Architect Firm: Architects Alaska with ZGF
Developer: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Client/Consultant: Umiaq Design LLC (Anchorage)
Consultants: BBFM Engineers (Anchorage); AMC Engineers (Anchorage); RWDI (Portland, OR); WSP USA (Anchorage); HMS (Anchorage)
Photo: Michael Henricks (Anchorage)
Jury Rationale: | Maximizes natural daylight | Integration of local art and motifs | Attention to detail | Attention on patient spaces | Great potential- Submit again when built!
Click on the image at right to view larger.
