Amid school closings, mergers and consolidations; freaky weather that already has some Northeast schools depleted of snow days; and other school news—good and bad—we bring you this year’s Architectural Portfolio. In its 29th year, this issue showcases more than 135 citation winners and outstanding education design projects, from Arkansas to Argentina.
The jury awarded the William W. Caudill Citation—named for the Houston architect, educator and author—to Gloria Marshall Elementary School. The Spring, Texas, school is one of the greenest in the state—without adding any costs to the district’s capital budget.
This year’s Louis I. Kahn Citation—named for the critically acclaimed American architect whose works were innovative and technical—went to the James B. McNeer Hall Science and Technology Building at Richard Bland College, Petersburg, Va. The first academic bulding on campus since the college was founded in 1960, the building completes an academic quadrangle and earned LEED gold.
Two Special Citations were awarded: The jury noted L.B. Landry High School in New Orleans for its "upbeat response to the need for transforming a community." The high school was part of a "quick start" construction program to accelerate the replacement of five damaged schools.
A second Special Citation went to Richardsville Elementary School, Bowling Green, Ky. The school received previous recognition in the 2008 Architectural Portfolio, where it was entered as a work in progress. The 2008 jury applauded the school’s "leadership and commitment to pursue a net-zero-energy school facility." This year’s entry for the school, which was completed in October 2010, earned recognition for delivering on that commitment. The jury said, "It simply puts to rest the statement, ‘It can’t be done.’"
Special thanks to our jurors for their expertise and dedication to this issue.
Lustig is executive editor of AS&U.
