Keene, NH – The New Hampshire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIANH) has announced the results of its 2014 High School Design Competition. Awards were distributed at the May 1 joint meeting of the AIA New Hampshire Chapter and the Keene State College Architecture Department.
The AIANH High School Design Competition is a program that requires students to work on a theoretical project throughout the school year under the guidance of their instructors. AIANH volunteer architects visit the schools when possible to review the program and again to give critiques before the submissions are due. The program involves a design solution, a three-dimensional model, and a graphic plan of the project. Students could work in teams of two or three or individually. Sponsors of the 2014 program are AIANH and the Keene State College Architecture Department. The program is supported in part by a grant from the NH Architecture Foundation.
The AIANH Education Committee created the program for high school students to increase awareness of the relationships between space, human scale and function; gain experience in recognizing the various challenges in planning and designing indoor and outdoor spaces for specific uses; exercise analytical abilities and creativity in solving the problems; and gain experience in communicating planning and design ideas using scale drawings and models.
This year’s project Program was to design a Submarine History Center at Albacore Park in Portsmouth, NH, for the continued display of the USS Albacore, to serve as a vessel to honor submarine history in New England, and to display many unique Naval artifacts. It was a purely theoretical design program developed by AIANH for New Hampshire students and with the permission of Albacore Park, however the design and program requirements do not necessarily reflect the desires of Albacore Park. The program asked for a one-story structure of no pre-determined height, but respectful of the surrounding environment and complementary to the buildings’ function and design. Participants were to assume the existing Visitor’s Center would be demolished. The program required the inclusion of an entrance, information desk, submarine plaque wall, gift shop, staff office, exhibit space, the USS Albacore submarine display, a small theater, restrooms, utility closet, mechanical spaces, exhibit and display support rooms, and outdoors, a memorial garden and parking. Students were given specific building needs and an actual site plan to work from. Some students took advantage of two site tours organized this past December and January.
The AIANH High School Design Competition gives students a fun and challenging opportunity to develop their skills and to learn about the various aspects of planning and design.
Winners are:
Best Design Overall, Superiority in all aspects of Design Solution, Model, and Graphic Presentation:
FIRST PLACE. Ian Farr-Szep and Patrick Joseph, ConVal Regional High School
Jury notes: Very intriguing, dynamic form of the building supporting the submarine concept. Well-connected display area and submarine exhibit. Good quality building model. The shallow water pools placed on the roof add to the ambiance of the submarine theme of the museum. This Concept would benefit from a better integration of overall building shapes. The Jury wished the designer had reflected the waves glass windows on the highway side of the building. This project is very original in concept therefor achieving this award.
SECOND PLACE. Tori Kort and Andrew Husson, Pinkerton Academy
Jury notes: Efficient floor plan but would need a bit more space at the entrance for managing crowds. Interesting structural system for the roofs
Systems. This project supports the theme of water but does not emphasize the main exhibit element. Good rendering/photo collage. Nice model and a well composed board, in particular the upper half. Main building could have be separated from the submarine warehouse to achieve a stronger outdoor space. Strong wave-themed volumes. Both buildings could also merge the roofs for a better flow. Nice conceptual sketches.
Best Model Describing the Design Solution
FIRST PLACE. Mason Westover, ConVal Regional High School
Jury notes: Well defined outdoor space. One of the strongest site plans which is well reflected in the model. Interesting concept of the roof but solar panes could be building integrated instead of added on to the roof. Very well developed building and site model. The separation between exhibit building and visitor center is well resolved. Shading devices should be integrated into the south facade for solar control. The concept of solar sails is intriguing. This building displays a creative form.
SECOND PLACE. Jacque Greazzo, Pinkerton Academy
Jury notes: Interesting concept derived from the submarine form and function. Good visibility from the street but might require substantial resources for space heating, cooling and ventilating. Wind turbine is a plus and located to accentuate the submarine concept. Elegant and nicely crafted model. Interesting floor plan shape that draws from submarine shape. Curved walls are well placed at the gift shop. Board composition is good but would benefit from larger floor plans and matching drawing scales.
Best Graphic Presentation Describing the Design Solution
FIRST PLACE. Matt Demio, Pinkerton Academy
Jury notes: Good board composition with legible text and good quality renderings. Nice site plan. The jury liked the geometry shift of the submarine in the display area. Good contrast between the visitor center building and the main exhibit. Nice interior rendering.
SECOND PLACE. The jurors did not award a second place in this category.
Special Citation:
Tim Tamulonis and Isaac Williamson, Milford High School
Jury notes: Jurors liked the intriguing shape of the building, which is derived from the marine nature of the submarines. This project was original in that it housed the majority of the program under one volume. This concept and way of thinking is very advanced in terms of architectural thinking, but unfortunately unfinished and the program requirements were not fulfilled.
The jurors were Sheldon Pennoyer AIA, Sheldon Pennoyer Architects, Concord, NH; Susan Phillips-Hungerford AIA, Susan Phillips-Hungerford, Architect, Peterborough, NH; and Bart Sapeta AIA, Associate Professor, Keene State College Architecture Department.
Cash awards were given to winners in the first three categories, and a certificate was awarded for the Special Citation.
AIANH member volunteers in this program include Scott Vlasak AIA, Paul Bourbeau AIA, Dennis McNeal AIA, and Len Pagano AIA. Teachers from the participating schools are also to be commended, as this competition requires guidance and support. They are Rolfe Voltaire, Pinkerton Academy; Lenny Harrison, Nashua High School; Karen Fabianski, ConVal Regional High School, Peterborough; Frank Xydias, Milford High School; and Glenn Wilson, Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro.
The 2014 AIANH High School Design Competition results are posted on the AIANH website: www.aianh.org/education/outreach/high-school-design. The program is open to all high schools in New Hampshire. The 2015 program will be available in the fall of 2014. For more information on the New Hampshire Chapter contact Carolyn Isaak, Executive Director, 603-357-2863, office@aianh.org, www.aianh.org.
About AIANH: The New Hampshire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has over 300 architects, associate, and professional affiliate members. Its mission is to illuminate the profession of architecture through advocacy, public outreach, education, fellowship, and recognition of design excellence. Its members work with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and neighborhoods.
