2015 AIANH Excellence in Architecture Design Awards

The AIANH Excellence in Architecture Awards Program was instituted in 1983 for the purpose of providing public and professional recognition for architectural projects of design excellence by New Hampshire architects. Each entry is judged on the following criteria: overall design excellence including aesthetics, clarity, creativity, appropriate functionality, sustainability, building performance, and appropriateness with regard to fulfilling the client's program. Scroll below to see the 2015 results.

The 2016 Awards Call for Entries is now available. More information.

Thanks to our Awards Program Platinum sponsors: Spaulding Brick and Charron Inc.

Past Design Award Winners:
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014

Other Awards Programs:
The Clint Sheerr Award for Excellence in New Hampshire Architecture
Emerging Professionals Design Competition
Honorary Members
Outstanding Service Award
25-year award

2015 Jury

Jurors are all faculty members at the Boston Architectural College: Karen Nelson, Thomas Parks AIA, Lee Peters, Ian Taberner AIA, and Michael Wolfson.

Press: Union Leader, Jan. 25, 2015 |
NH Business Review

Honor Award

Project: Anderson Hall Performing Arts Center Addition and Renovation, Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, NH
Architect:
Scott Simons Architects, Portland, ME
Contractor: Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc., Concord, NH

This new addition and reconfigured plaza has created an open, joyful performance space on the southeast end of Brewster Academy’s campus. 

Jury Comments: “A skillful architectural solution that while maintaining the existing character of the buildings creates a new composition through the re-purposing and program that strengthens the original building. The interior spaces are successfully transformed from inward looking to outward looking with open and light-filled performance spaces. The new entrance lobby connects the composition to the academy’s campus.”

Honor Award: Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy
Honor Award: Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy
Honor Award: Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy
Honor Award: Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy

Rick and Duffy Monahon Award for Design Excellence in Architectural Restoration and Preservation

Project: Colony Hall Renovation, MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, NH
Architect: Sheldon Pennoyer Architects, Concord, NH

Construction Manager: Bruss Construction Inc., Bradford, NH 


The Rick and Duffy Monahon Award for Design Excellence in Architectural Restoration and Preservation was established last year in honor of Rick and Duffy Monahon as a way to honor their extraordinary contribution to architecture and preservation in New Hampshire. The award recognizes outstanding and exemplary historic preservation projects as defined by their sensitivity to an historic structure and its surrounding environment; the quality of architecture, workmanship, and materials; as well as the degree of challenge or accomplishment and the level of community support for the project.

This project required renovating an aging community center and dining hall at the 100‐year‐old MacDowell Colony, a residential artist’s colony in Peterborough, NH. A venerable building created from a recycled heavy‐timber barn frame, it had suffered inevitable deterioration over time. The architect’s challenge was to integrate their planning strategy with their priority for energy conservation. The architecture is carefully scaled, respectful of its New England heritage, but clearly a product of today, not an imitation of the past.

Jury Comments: “The design jury recognizes the manner in which the existing Colony Hall was historically and sensitively renovated with skillful additions and careful demolitions all the while preserving the original character of the building. The new construction satisfies new programming, allows for increased interior day lighting, providing improved barrier free accessibility, and dramatically improved environmental qualities and thermal performance.”

Monahon Award: Colony Hall, The MacDowell Colony
Monahon Award: Colony Hall, The MacDowell Colony
Monahon Award: Colony Hall, The MacDowell Colony
Monahon Award: Colony Hall, The MacDowell Colony

Merit Award

Project: Bush Center & Ketchum Library, University of New England, Biddeford, ME
Architect: JSA Inc., Portsmouth, NH
Contractor: Ouellet Associates, Brunswick, ME and Allied Cook, Scarborough, ME
Landscape Architect: Site Design Associates, Brunswick, ME

Ketchum Library at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus, c1968, was very much a “period piece” of late modernist architecture. The architect’s design response was sympathetic to the scale and texture of Ketchum, while providing an exciting, more visually accessible addition to the campus.

Jury Comments: “The Bush Center received recognition for its sympathetic and contextual additions to the existing library, transforming an inward looking building into one that embraces views of the Saco River, landscape, and University Campus. The new gallery, café, and boardrooms also activate the potential utilization of the Ketchum Library. A worthy design solution honoring George and Barbara Bush.”

Merit Award: Bush Center & Ketchum Library, Univiersity of New England
Merit Award: Bush Center & Ketchum Library, Univiersity of New England
Merit Award: Bush Center & Ketchum Library, Univiersity of New England
Merit Award: Bush Center & Ketchum Library, Univiersity of New England

Merit Award

Project: Hyder Court Housing, Portsmouth, NH
Architect: McHenry Architecture PLLC, Portsmouth, NH
Construction Manager: Careno Construction Corp., Bedford, NH

The goal of the design of the Hyder Court Housing units was to develop the site in a way that is equitable to both the community and the property owner. The architect strove to create an efficient and well-planned site and buildings to provide much-needed housing while enhancing the existing neighborhood. The shed-style single slope roof creates an interesting roof form that also directs the water and snow away from the building entrance and connects to a rainwater management system. The use of rain gardens and bio-swales reduce the storm-water runoff from the site.

Jury Comments :  “Hyder Court, a multi-family residential project, receives recognition for an innovative open floor plan layout in a building form of a reduced scale most typical of a single family residence. The ‘L’ shaped buildings frame the corner lot while providing a gateway entrance. The sloped roofs mediate between the adjacent commercial and residential street buildings. The design jury felt this was a very successful architectural solution for an often difficult and challenging proposition for design professionals.”

Merit Award: Hyder Court Housing
Merit Award: Hyder Court Housing
Merit Award: Hyder Court Housing
Merit Award: Hyder Court Housing

Merit Award

Project: IDEXX Synergy Center, Westbrook, ME
Architect: Lavallee Brensinger Architects, Manchester, NH
Construction Manager: PC Construction, Portland, ME
Landscape Architect: Richardson & Associates, Saco, ME
Interior Design: Stibler Associates, Manchester, NH

The challenge on this project was to create an environment for IDEXX Laboratories that fosters collaboration and promotes a culture of employee wellness. The building has been awarded LEED Gold Certification and features sustainable elements throughout, including a green roof with patio for informal outdoor meetings overlooking the wooded preserve.

Jury Comments: “By their very nature, the medical manufacturing laboratories must meet strict restraints to meet cleanliness and the protection of intellectual property. This design solution creates an open new building and fills it with natural light and with the amenities to support the well-being of all company employees. The design jury cites the commendable building programming, strong campus planning and a LEED Gold building certification.”

Merit Award: IDEXX Synergy Center
Merit Award: IDEXX Synergy Center
Merit Award: IDEXX Synergy Center
Merit Award: IDEXX Synergy Center

Merit Award

Project: Clearview Lake Retreat, Lake Winnepocket, NH
Architect: Bonin Architects & Associates PLLC, New London, NH
General Contractor: Old Hampshire Designs, New London, NH
Landscape Architect: Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC
Interior Design: Sage’s Interiors, New London, NH

With strong sentimental ties to the existing structure property and lake, the owners of this home embarked on a dramatic renovation and landscape plan to transform a neglected property into a relaxing and comfortable environment.

Jury Comments: “A successful utilization of an existing structure transformed into a residence reconfigured to take advantage of the views of Winnepocket Lake. The existing porch room is displaced and becomes an addition to the ground floor increasing first floor living space while providing open-air decks for the second level. The new residence exhibits skillful planning and design – a conceptual solution well sited in a beautiful landscape.”

Merit Award: Clearview Lake Retreat
Merit Award: Clearview Lake Retreat
Merit Award: Clearview Lake Retreat
Merit Award: Clearview Lake Retreat

Honorable Mention

Project: Meservey Hall Renovation and Addition, New Hampton School, New Hampton, NH
Architect: Samyn D’Elia Architects, PA, Ashland, NH
Contractor: Conneston Construction, Inc., Laconia, NH
Landscape Architect: Pollock Land Planning, New Hampton, NH

This project is a renovation and addition to historic Meservey Hall at New Hampton School. The Hall’s 1858 brick façade was left intact and a new interior structure and addition to the campus-facing side of the building were developed.

Jury Comments: “A masterful transformation of a traditional academic building constructed with an existing primary entrance facing the college campus lawn. The new design expands the academic program while skillfully creating a new access connecting the campus lawn and playing fields through the building. A path links the New Hampton School through a reconfigured building with two entrance facades. At the center for the points of entry is a atrium filled with natural light in the Central Hall space – welcoming students, faculty, administrators and visitors.”

Honorable Mention: Meservy Hall, New Hampton School
Honorable Mention: Meservy Hall, New Hampton School
Honorable Mention: Meservy Hall, New Hampton School
Honorable Mention: Meservy Hall, New Hampton School

Honorable Mention

Project: Private Residence, Sunapee, NH
Architect: Cowan Goudreau Architects, Concord, NH
General Contractor: Nehemiah Builders, Newbury, NH

This lakeside house sits midway down a sloping site, which runs from the road to the Lake and was designed to take advantage of the views. The circular driveway allows additional parking, circulation, and the opportunity to provide landscaping in the center to help defuse the sightline form the street. The lake side screen porch has a connection from the living room, a double sided fireplace, and provides tree-house-like views of Sunapee Lake.

Jury Comments: “Successfully cited buildings in a composition designed to increase privacy while maintaining maximum views to Lake Sunapee. Separating the garage and guest house reduces the height and building mass while the choice of the exterior building materials expresses a dialog between the structures in a natural setting. A strong sense of building craft is apparent.”

Honorable Mention: Sunapee Residence
Honorable Mention: Sunapee Residence
Honorable Mention: Sunapee Residence
Honorable Mention: Sunapee Residence

Honorable Mention

Project: Stone Fence Farm, Salisbury, NH
Architect: Bonin Architects & Associates, New London, NH
General Contractor: Old Hampshire Designs, New London, NH
Landscape Architect: Pellettieri Associates, Inc., Warner, NH
Interior Design: Sage’s Interiors, New London, NH

The use of stone for this home addressed the owner's desire for a sense of durability, permanence, and presence on the property.

Jury Comments: “This residence successfully employs stone New England building typology to express permanence and tradition with a new construction. The reuse of stone at the site and the quality of the interior detailing and woodworking are commendable and deserved recognition.”

Honorable Mention: Stone Fence Farm
Honorable Mention: Stone Fence Farm
Honorable Mention: Stone Fence Farm
Honorable Mention: Stone Fence Farm

People's Choice Award: Commercial

Project: Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton, NH
Architect: McHenry Architecture Portsmouth, NH
Construction Manager: Harvey Construction Corp., Bedford, NH
Landscape Architect: Terra Firma Landscape Architecture, Portsmouth, NH

This LEED-certified facility greatly increases the efficiency and capacity for the production of Smuttynose Brewery's award-winning brews. The fourteen acre property and former site of the historic Towle Farm has been transformed into a state-of-the-art brewery complex with the ability to expand capacity when needed. Integral to the design of the brewery is the preservation of the existing barn for future use and the relocation of the Victorian era farmhouse to be renovated for use as a restaurant along the eastern slope of the site. The landscape design features rain gardens to help control storm water runoff and the restoration of the old apple orchard on the site.

People's Choice Award: Smuttynose Brewing Company
People's Choice Award: Smuttynose Brewing Company
People's Choice Award: Smuttynose Brewing Company
People's Choice Award: Smuttynose Brewing Company

People's Choice Award: Residential

Project: Stone Fence Farm, Salisbury, NH
Architect: Bonin Architects & Associates, New London, NH
General Contractor: Old Hampshire Designs, New London, NH
Landscape Architect: Pellettieri Associates, Inc., Warner, NH
Interior Design: Sage’s Interiors, New London, NH

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