Seven West Virginia buildings receive architectural awards

Courtesy Photo

Charleston firm ZMM Architects and Engineers won an honor award from the American Institute of Architecture on Saturday for designing Edgewood Elementary. The $22 million school is designed to serve as a learning tool, and utilizes bright colors and flexible spaces to excite students and encourage group work.

Seven West Virginia buildings, including a Charleston elementary school and a visual arts center in Huntington, were honored with awards from the American Institute of Architects at its dinner for the West Virginia Design Awards Saturday evening.

The awards highlight the good work that goes on in the industry each year, said Johnathan Adler with the AIA West Virginia chapter.

Buildings are what excite people, thats what brings people here, Adler said. Buildings are the face of the community.

The entries were judged by a jury lead by Pittsburgh-based architect Rob Pfaffmann.

The West Virginia chapter of the AIA has about 250 members, of which around 200 are architects.

Only one out-of-state firm won an award. Maryland-based GriD Architects earned one of three honor awards, the organizations highest honor, for a vacation home in Berkeley County.

Charleston-based ZMM Architects and Engineers won an honor award for Edgewood Elementary. Firm principal David Ferguson said the building is different than other schools.

Kanawha County wanted a school that was completely different, Ferguson said.

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Seven West Virginia buildings receive architectural awards