The Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects has announced the name of the architect chosen to design the interior of the Dallas Center for Architecture, scheduled to bow in September at 1909 Woodall Rodgers Freeway -- overlooking the thus-far hypothetical Woodall Rodgers Park. And the winner's a local: Peter Doncaster of Booziotis & Company Architects, though he did have outside collaborators from New Orleans and Brooklyn, New York.
You can see the winning design here, as well as the second- and third-place finishers. But, insists AIA's Tip Housewright (really -- an architect named "Housewright"?) in the media release after the jump, the top selection has "the potential for an architectural tour de force ... it's simultaneously logical and daring." Which seems so ... Dallas? Actually, you know what seems very Dallas? The new Hunt Oil building on Woodall Rogers and Akard, a stone's throw from the Dallas Center for Architecture. My 4-year-old calls it "the Darth Vader building." Love that kid. --Robert Wilonsky
DALLAS - February 26, 2008 - When AIA Dallas representative Tip Housewright of Omniplan, Inc. announced the winning design for the interior of the new Dallas Center for Architecture, he also noted that Dallas is one of the first cities to have such a Center.The winning entry was submitted by Peter Doncaster, AIA of Booziotis & Co. Architects (Dallas) in collaboration with Nicholas Marshall, AIA of nodesign (New Orleans) and Gabriel Smith, AIA of Thomas Phifer and Partners (New York).
"Dallas is stepping out like New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Houston to celebrate the importance of architecture," said Mr. Housewright. "What's incredible about the winning design is that it works with the streetscape and becomes integrated with the neighborhood. Plus, a goal of the project is to be LEED CI Certified."
Don Gatzke, AIA, Dean of the University of Texas at Arlington School of Architecture, chaired the jury for the competition. "We all thought the entries were exceptionally good, especially considering the compressed time line of less than a month from start to finish. The winning entry represented some good solid planning with the potential for an architectural tour de force. It's simultaneously logical and daring -- as all good architecture should be," said Mr. Gatzke.
Launching in September, the Center is located at 1909 Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Uptown. The Center is on ground floor space overlooking the future site of Woodall Rodgers Park.
"The selection of the space in Uptown was quite purposeful," said Mr. Housewright. "There couldn't be a better location in Dallas for the Center. Those who appreciate innovative architecture will be able to visit the Dallas Center for Architecture and walk to buildings ranging from the Dallas Center for Performing Arts to the new Hunt Building to One Arts Plaza to the 1942 Mercantile Tower."
The location near the Arts District played a large part in the selection of the space, Mr. Housewright noted. "When the Dallas Center for Performing Arts opens in 2009, four buildings by Pritzker Prize-winning architects will be located in one contiguous block," he said.
People looking for the magic of architecture by some of the world's finest architects can simply walk to the Nasher Sculpture Center (Renzo Piano), The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (I.M. Pei), Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House (Norman Foster) or Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre (Joshua Prince-Ramus and Rem Koolhaas). Two blocks away in Victory Park, the Dallas Museum of Nature & Science designed by the 2005 Pritzker Prize winner Thom Mayne will be constructed.
AIA Dallas will be providing resources, exhibits and gallery space which will help explain the growth of Dallas, the history of some of these buildings, the role of architects and much more. Oftentimes, they will work closely with like-minded centers around the country to bring quality exhibits and innovative programs to Dallas.
Formal recognition and cash prizes will be awarded to the winning architects at a March 18th reception at the AIA Dallas Gallery, 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., Ste. 600, Dallas.
An exhibit of the top ten juried entries in the competition will be opening that evening. Among the winners whose work will be shown are the second place design submitted by a team from 5G Studio_collaborative, llc, led by Hoang Doang, AIA. Other team members include Fred Meyer, Audrey Lucardi, and Christine Robbins.
Third place was submitted by a team from Good Fulton & Farrell led by Brian Kuper, AIA. Others on the team included: David Farrell, AIA; Lance Braht, AIA; Nicholas McWhirter, Andrew Adkison, and Courtney Keeper.
