American Institute of Architects – Grand Rapids Chapter recognizes architecture firms and projects at their 2015 Honor Awards program

PHOTOS: BRYAN ESLER

Last month, The American Institute of Architects – Grand Rapids Chapter recognized people, architecture firms and projects at their 2015 Honor Awards program. The event was held at the They were held at beautiful Cheney Place in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.

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Among this year’s award recipients were:

Greg T. Metz, AIA, of Lott3Metz Architecture, received the President’s Award.  This award was presented to an architect member of AIA Grand Rapids who had contributed to the profession through service and commitment to the AIA Grand Rapids chapter.

Thomas Danckaert,  AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, EDAC, Senior Design Architect of Progressive AE,  received the Young Architect Award. This award recognizes exceptional accomplishments in and contributions to the profession and/or the community by an architect who has been a member of AIA Grand Rapids for a minimum of 3 years and is under 40 years old.

Arnold Mikon, FAIA, President and CEO of TowerPinkster Architects | Engineers, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Brian K. Craig, AIA, of Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an architect(s) who has clearly demonstrated distinguished leadership in any phase of the architectural profession.  This award is made in recognition of outstanding achievement and of notable contributions to the American Institute of Architects.

Tami VandenBerg, of Well House, received the David D. Smith Humanitarian Award.  This Award is presented to a member of the Grand Rapids community who represents community service and leadership, while also elevating the community’s awareness of architecture and the built-environment through the creation of enduring places.

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Belden Brick & Supply received the Distinguished Professional Affiliate Award.  This Award is presented to a member of the Grand Rapids community who represents community service and leadership, while also elevating the community’s awareness of architecture and the built-environment through the creation of enduring places.

Four firms received the Building Honor Award: AECOM (formerly URS) for The Jenison Center for the Arts, Jenison, Michigan; Integrated Architecture for Whirlpool Benton Harbor Technology Center, Battle Creek, Michigan and Spectrum Health Medical Group Beltline Integrated Care Center, Grand Rapids, MI; Lott3Metz Architecture for The Lena Meijer Building, Grand Rapids, MI and Progressive AE for Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station, Grand Rapids, MI .

Two firms received the Small Commercial Design Award: GMB Architecture + Engineering  for Interphase InteriorsStudio Blue and Progressive AE for Art Van Sports Complex Championship Field.

Additionally, AIA Grand Rapids selected two West Michigan students who each received $1,000 each in Student Scholarships for their architectural education.  Autumn Waldron of Coopersville and Anne Schnitzenbaumer of Grand Rapids.

The Honor Awards were sponsored by Belden Brick & Supply, Eikenhout, Triangle, Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., Driesenga & Associates, Inc., JRA Food Service Consultants and Acoustics By Design.

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