COLUMBIA, SC – November 13, 2008 - Several local buildings and architects were honored for their exceptional design at the biennial design awards gala held by The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Greater Columbia section on Wednesday, November 12th at Trustus Theatre.

The AIA, Greater Columbia Section recognized the importance of high quality design and talented professionals within the local community. Portfolios were submitted by local architects to a design jury chosen by the AIA Greater Columbia Board of Directors.

The 2008 Jury consisted of Jury Chair, Marvin Malecha, FAIA. Marvin is the AIA First Vice President and President-elect as well as the Dean of the College of Design at North Carolina State University. Other Jury members were:

• Hernan Marchant, Associate Dean at the College of Design at NCSU, he has practiced architecture in Chile and France and was formerly a professor of Architecture at the University of Chile.
• Robin Abrams - Director of the School of Architecture at NCSU, PhD in Urban Design and licensed Architect and Landscape Architect.
• Ellen Weinstein - president of AIA Triangle Section and a partner in Dixon Weinstein Architects; winner of many design awards. She also teaches in the College of Design at NCSU and has served on numerous design award juries.

The following awards were presented:

Honor Award
New River Campus Multi-purpose Building
Architect: Watson Tate Savory Architects, Inc.
Owners: Technical College of the Low Country & Beaufort County
Contractor: Burkwood Construction

Honor Award
New River Campus – University of South Carolina Beaufort
Architect: Watson Tate Savory Architects, Inc.
Owners: The University of South Carolina & Beaufort County
Contractors: Burkwood Construction & Hill Construction

Honor Award
The Center for Knowledge
Architect: Quackenbush Architects + Planners
Owner: Richland School District Two
Contractor: Tyler Construction Group

Merit Award
School of Education
Architect: Watson Tate Savory Architects, Inc., in association with Cooper Robertson and Partners
Owner: College of Charleston
Contractor: Newton Builders

Merit Award
Mountain House
Architect: Watson Tate Savory Architects, Inc.
Owner: Donna & Sanders Tate
Contractor: Sun Construction

Merit Award
Palmetto Collegiate Institute
Architect: Calloway Johnson Moore & West, P.A.
Owner: Town of Lexington
Contractor: Weathers Contracting Company

Alliance Award
Columbia Museum of Art
In recognition of the Museum's collaborative efforts with The American Institute of Architects Greater Columbia Section in bringing the Frank Lloyd Wright and the House Beautiful exhibition to Columbia and the Museum's continuing dedication to enriching lives in our community through design excellence and education.

The AIA Greater Columbia section would like to emphasize that the success of any design depends greatly on the client and the contractor.

American Institute of Architects, AIA, Greater Columbia Area strives to recognize outstanding architecture and design professionals in the local community.