At a September reception here in Charlottesville, The Central Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has recognized the office of brwarchitects with their Honor Award for Design Excellence for The Crossings at 4th and Preston. This building is a Single Resident Occupancy facility designed for Virginia Supportive Housing. Half of the 60 single rooms have been designated for formerly homeless individuals in the Charlottesville area with the other half serving residents with incomes below 50% of the area median income. Over 20% of the building’s energy needs are satisfied from photovoltaic panels. Solar hot water is used throughout the entire facility and is controlled by an integrated energy management system. The jury, comprised of AIA members from NYC, Germany and the University of Virginia, had this to say about the design:
“This project presents a housing block with a social mission that reinforces the density and urbanity of an important corner in Charlottesville. The solution is careful in the selection of the materials and clearly refuses to replicate historic patterns to establish a contextual framework. The steel I-beams frame the blue tile fabric in a classical modern gesture to create shelters and entrances. The jury was most impressed with the expression of the building that houses the public programs at the corner of 4th and Preston….. The program and the rigor of the layout is worthy of special consideration. The clarity and contemporary expression in the implementation of this culturally important program shows an important path in the re-densification and the advancement of a more sustainable city.”