There are so many architecture awards bestowed every week from organizations large and small that we don’t normally report on awards. But, perhaps, it’s time we should. We’ll start with a big one with local focus: AIA Chicago’s Firm of the Year.
This year’s recipient is Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture.
You know HPA from such enormous projects as Essex on the Park, and such little projects as 810 North Clark. The West Town firm was praised by the AIA jury because, “Their work reaches people globally, but locally they reach people on all sides of the city—north, south, and west included… Their projects are current and relevant—building new spaces and keeping legacy buildings alive.”
Other recent local HPA highlights include:
- 1 Chicago Square (with Goettsch Partners)
- 1K Fulton, Google’s Midwest headquarters
- SixForty North Wells
- 1000 South Clark
- The Bush Temple of Music renovation
- The Chicago Athletic Association’s renovation into a hotel
- The Hairpin Lofts and Art Center in Logan Square
- N0. 9 Walton