Learning By Design recently announced that NAC|Architecture has won two Education Design Awards in their Fall 2011 Edition.

Ardmore Elementary School in Bellevue, Washington was awarded a Grand Prize, and Deer Park High School in Deer Park, Washington won a Citation of Excellence. Learning By Design showcases the nation’s best education design projects, from pre-K through college and university facilities.

Featuring interior design by NAC|Architecture, Merrill Gardens at The University was recently honored with a Merit Award in Long-Term Living magazine’s special supplement, Design Environments for Aging 2011. A panel of 16 jurors representing interior designers, architects, providers and educators honored the project among dozens of submissions. Located in the established Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle, Merrill Gardens at The University combines 123 independent and assisted living units with 103 market-rate apartments, which are inhabited by University of Washington students. In addition, the ground level features restaurants and specialty retail shops. The editors of Long Term Living call it “A true multigenerational complex.”

NAC|Architecture’s Spokane Office Addition was the Grand Award winner at the Washington Aggregates and Construction Association’s 2011 Excellence in Concrete Construction awards. The project also won first place awards in the Sustainable Merit and Cast-in-Place categories. The Washington Aggregates and Construction Association received more award entries in 2011 than any previous year.

Building with Concrete - A Special Feature of DJC.com

Out of 70 projects from across the country entered in the Spring 2011 Learning By Design Awards, three schools designed by NAC|Architecture were honored with awards.

First Creek Middle School in Tacoma, Washington won a Grand Prize and was lauded by the judges with comments such as, "very few projects do such a great job of orienting it to the outdoors, not only for daylight but also the view."

Sage Point Elementary School in Moses Lake, Washington and Shadle Park High School in Spokane, Washington were both recognized with Honorable Mention Awards.

So said the jury of The National School Boards Association (NSBA) when awarding a citation to Ardmore Elementary School in Bellevue, Washington. The project will be exhibited at the NSBA annual convention in San Francisco, April 9-11.

"The jury really liked this compact design that connects the building to nature through the use of windows, clerestory and skylights. This design solution offers equal access to internal and external areas by providing significant transparency between various spaces for all. The design accommodates small learning neighborhoods with informal study areas for small groups as well as individual study. The jury felt this school was stylistically suited for the age group it serves. The scale, materials, and details, both inside and out, are well coordinated and indicate a non-busy, simplified approach. A dandy piece of architecture."