Arkansas architects have for years selected their colleagues’ work for design awards presented at the annual AIA Arkansas convention. This year, the Arkansas chapter of the American Institute of Architects is letting the public have its say on Arkansas architecture, with the inaugural People’s Choice Award online contest.
The 32 projects up for awards include private homes, schools, churches, offices, museums and an athletic field entry and are the same projects that members of the AIA Arkansas will vote on. When the results are announced Oct. 16, voters from the public arena will be able to see how their choices match up with the professionals, who award Merit, Honor and Member’s Choice prizes.
The People’s Choice Award page on the AIA website (aiaar.org) includes images of each project (some of which are still on the drawing board, rather than completed). Click on the images to see more pictures and information on the projects. You won’t see the architectural firms named, but you will see floor plans, extra images and a statement about the project’s mission.
The projects, as they are named by the AIA, include the Pinnacle Springs One building in Rogers; a fine and performing arts building for Pulaski Technical College; the Werner Carriage House in Fayetteville; One Eleven restaurant at the Capital Hotel; Ferncliff Camp Pool and Pavilion; the HFA building in Bentonville; the University of Arkansas Track and Field Walk of Fame; the Burton Residence in Hot Springs Village; University of Arkansas housing; the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum; Janie Darr Elementary School in Rogers; the Park Hill Pop Up in the Rock; the state Highway and Transportation Department’s public transit office; Elite Eyecare & Optical in Jonesboro; the Srygley Pool House in Fayetteville; the Arkansas’ Best Street design for a walkable town center in tornado-damaged Mayflower; the Walmart AMP; the Mid-America Science Museum; the Philander Smith Student Center; the Modern Heights Home; the Arkansas State University System office; Oven & Tap restaurant in Bentonville; the Belle Grove Community Center; Bentonville Arts and Market Districts; the UREC Fitness Center at the UA; All Saints Episcopal Church in Bentonville; the UA-Pine Bluff STEM Building; the Cardinal multifamily collegiate housing in Fayetteville; Elkins High School; the Mood Ring House in Fayetteville; and the Arkansas School for Math, Sciences and the Arts.
How to choose? It won’t be easy, but it will be fun. Deadline to vote is midnight Aug. 31.