On September 24th, 2020, the 2020 AIA Maryland Excellence in Design Awards took place in an all too familiar format – virtually. While it wasn’t the usual annual bash, Quinn Evans was pleased to take home four awards for Unbuilt Architecture, Residential, and Institutional.
LIFEcube: Jury Citation – Unbuilt Architecture
The need to develop a sustainable, scalable and affordable approach for emergency housing has become apparent within the U.S. and globally. Originally conceived as a more effective emergency housing solution for the homeless during cold winter nights, the LIFEcube Housing System recognizes that advances in technology are now allowing us to re-imagine how we provide emergency housing for a wide array of uses. Our system consists of a microhousing unit (a “LIFEcube”) that generates and stores its own energy making it off-grid capable and easily transportable to most any location.
Restoration Gardens 2: Merit Award – Residential
This project is a housing community for homeless youth located in East Baltimore. Together with the Restoration Gardens I in west Baltimore (opened in 2010), these facilities provide the only permanent housing for vulnerable youth between the ages of 18-24 in the state. Along with private studios, spaces for workforce training, education, counseling, and other services are provided to support residents becoming more stable and self-sufficient.
Dorothy I. Height Elementary School: Jury Citation – Institutional
Eight blocks from the epicenter of the 2015 Baltimore Uprising, a public elementary school begins a new chapter in this vibrant but disenfranchised neighborhood. Workshops with parents, teachers and neighbors transformed their existing 1960s facility into the community school of the future. 32,000 square feet of space was fully renovated, including the Auditorium, Gym, and Cafeteria. A 60,000 square foot addition was built, including modern, flexible learning spaces and facilities for shared community use.
McLean School of Maryland: Jury Citation – Institutional
McLean School is a K-12 college prepatory program. The student population includes traditional learners and students with learning differences. The program was designed to recognize a student’s strengths and embrace different learning styles. The new second-floor addition weaves new structure through the existing fabric and includes Arts and STEM classroom space, and a Student Lounge. The scope included a secured vestibule, grand staircase, and classrooms above the existing occupied single-story building.
