Downing Architects Receives Honorable Mention Award and National Recognition for Innovative Educational Facility Design

 

Alexandria, VA - April 22, 2011 - Downing Architects (Bettendorf, IA) has received an Honorable Mention Award for outstanding educational facility design in the 20th Anniversary Spring 2011 edition of LEARNING BY DESIGN, the premier biannual guide that showcases innovative school and university design and construction projects. Recognized for the innovative design of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at Scott Community College (Bettendorf, IA), Downing Architects is one of only seven firms to receive an Honorable Mention Award in the Spring 2011 design competition.

LEARNING BY DESIGN judges recognized Downing Architects for designing an authentic culinary classroom for future food service professionals in a modest-sized space, all while staying on budget.

Judges praised the attractive, well-proportioned massing of the 10,400-square-foot facility's brick-and-metal exterior. Inside, they commended the very economical plan, which combines instructional space for the college's growing culinary arts and hospitality management programs. Included are instructional labs, hot cooking and baking labs, a hotel-style lobby lounge and bedroom suite, supportive utilities such as a laundry room, and a multipurpose classroom space that can be opened up to seat 80 diners.

This $2.6 million project exemplifies the idea that "you could do a great design on a small budget and a small scale," said the judges. "To be able to provide that level of design in such a small package is impressive."

 LEARNING BY DESIGN, published in the Spring and Fall each year, circulates to more than 65,000+ leaders and decision makers at all levels of education?from early childhood and elementary schools to career-technical, college, and university-level institutions. For details and to access the magazine's digital edition, visit www.learningbydesign.biz.

 In October, LEARNING BY DESIGN will publish its Fall 2011 edition, part of LEARNING BY DESIGN's 20th Anniversary celebration. This commemorative issue will showcase educational design excellence in pre-K to 12 and college/universities with special focuses on renovations, adaptive reuse, sustainability and more. Go to www.learningbydesign.biz for details.

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ABOUT LEARNING BY DESIGN: LEARNING BY DESIGN is published twice annually by Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc. and the National School Boards Association, with support from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), APPA?Leadership in Educational Facilities, Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), and the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.