Bear Stand, a private residence located near Toronto, and Vashon Library were recognized at the AIA Washington Council and the AIA Northwest and Pacific Region conference in Seattle, WA on October 26.

Bear Stand was one of 11 projects recognized for design excellence from the AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Honors and Awards program. The jury commented, “This project is a wonderful piece of sculpture that integrates well into the site. Each space is really well detailed and wonderful. The house deals well with indoor and outdoor transitions.”

This year’s program received 104 project entries by the Region’s architects from Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana and Guam/Micronesia. Jurors for this year’s design awards included: Annie Chu, FAIA with Chu+Gooding Architects, Los Angeles; Tim Hawk, FAIA, President of WSA Studio in Columbus, Ohio and Drew White, FAIA, Co-founder of Axis Architecture + Interiors in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Vashon Library was recognized with a Merit Award from the AIA Washington Council in the Civic Design Award program. The project is a renovation and addition to Vashon Island’s existing library. The new space properly extends the life and purpose of the existing structure by opening the library thoughtfully to the park and add a welcoming aesthetic to a somewhat foreboding building, all while increasing the library’s visual presence from the street. The heavy wooden trusses of the original building and main book collection are bathed in light from the new skylights making the space airy and open.

For more information, visit the AIA Northwest and Pacific Region’s website.