Winners of the Atlanta Bridgescape Competition Announced
May 15,2015
Designs will enhance two bridges along the Interstate 75/85 Connector
Atlanta – May 15, 2015 – The winners of the Atlanta Bridgescape Competition were announced earlier today at the American Institute of Architects National Convention. Two winning designs – one for the 10th Street Bridge in Midtown and one for the Courtland/McGill Bridge in Downtown – were selected blindly by a panel of design professionals who are considered experts in their respective fields. The winners are:
sin(uosity) - designed by the Max Neiswander and Luke Kvasnicka of Atlanta, GA
Organic Canopy - designed by Roger DeWeese, AIA, with Peachtree Architects of Atlanta
Members of competition jury include:
Guest Juror: Mack Scogin, Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects
Jury Moderator: Barbara Faga, AECOM/EDAW
Technical Advisor: Ben Rabun, Georgia Department of Transportation
Architectural Advisor: Bruce McEvoy, Perkins + Will
Landscape Advisor: Mark Banta, Piedmont Park Conservancy
Artistic Advisor: Courtney Hammond, Dashboard Co-op
"I'm so pleased with the winning selections of the Atlanta Bridgescape Competition, and incredibly excited that Central Atlanta Progress, Midtown Alliance, and American Institute of Architects are engaging the design community and the public in a creative competition on this scale,” said Courtney Hammond. “It's provoked some great conversations about the future shape our city, our infrastructure and the care for artistic improvement.”
In addition to the official competition winners, the winners of the People’s Choice Award were announced at today’s conference. The People’s Choice Award was established to encourage public input and celebrate design excellence. Nearly 3,000 people voted online for their favorite design for each bridge. The winners of the People’s Choice Award are as follows:
- 10th Street Bridge in Midtown – Green City Spectator by KAMJZ Architects - Maciej Jakub Zawadzki; Arup - Structural engineering and sustainability
- Courtland/McGill in Downtown – Organic Canopy by Roger DeWeese, AIA, Peachtree Architects
Launched earlier this year, the Atlanta Bridgescape Competition solicited participation from multi-disciplinary teams on two bridge enhancement projects in Midtown and Downtown. After receiving over twenty submissions in March, the competition jury shortlisted five finalists that worked to further develop and refine their ideas, including the feasibility of implementation based on a budget of up to $3 million per bridge. Final designs were received on May 8th.
“Competitions are about vision and big ideas,” said competition manager Tony Rizzuto, Ph.D. Chair in the Department of Architecture at Kennesaw State University. They have the potential to take us out of our comfort zone to see possibilities we never imaged. They provide a catalyst for discourse on public space and promote the pursuit of better design.”
The Atlanta Bridgescape Competition is a collaborative initiative led by Midtown Alliance, Central Atlanta Progress/Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Architecture and Design Center, and is sponsored by Cardno. Visit www.AtlantaBridgescapeCompetition.com for more information.