Top left to bottom right: Anoka County Centennial Library; Arvonne Fraser Library; Land O’Lakes Headquarters; Millwright Building at Downtown East; U of MN John T. Tate Hall; University Enterprise Laboratories; MPS Center for Adult Learning

For high-resolution images of individual projects, contact Sheri Hansen.

MINNEAPOLIS, June 18, 2020 — AIA Minneapolis announces seven Merit Awards to projects designed by AIA Minneapolis architects that tell a story of excellence beyond design; emphasize public interest design; and embrace the varied forces that shape a building. Unique in its approach to assembling a jury, the AIA Minneapolis Merit Award encompasses the views of business professionals, real estate developers, community advocates, academic leaders, as well as architects.

2020 AIA Minneapolis Merit Award recipients:

LEO A DALY’s Anoka County Centennial Library Renovation and Expansion provided opportunity for the library to provide updated and vibrant spaces for the many adults, children and teens who frequent the library located in Circle Pines, MN.

MacDonald & Mack Architect’s Arvonne Fraser Library, a Minneapolis neighborhood library skillfully renovated to respect its distinctiveness in both its original Brutalist design and the community it serves in the heart of Dinkytown.

Perkins and Will’s Land O’Lakes Headquarters Expansion reimagines their entire campus, shifting from the outwardly focused organization of their original headquarters to a centralized campus built around a new open courtyard, redirecting the focus to community and collaboration.

Ryan A+E, Inc.’s Millwright Building at Downtown East, has had a key role in the growth and evolution of its Minneapolis neighborhood with compliments to the historic nature and revitalization of the neighborhood.

Alliiance’s University of Minnesota John T. Tate Hall Renovation, an excellent example of fitting complicated and technical research and teaching space into a historic building saddled with limitations and constraints.

Alliiance’s University Enterprise Laboratories Renovation and Addition, a creative renovation, with a new addition, that transforms a nondescript warehouse into an interactive discovery incubator for new science and technology businesses located in St Paul.

UrbanWorks Architecture’s Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Center for Adult Learning, has been a true example of a universal design for all adult learners featuring flexible spaces for learning and gatherings of many sizes, and welcoming accessibility details. The MPS Center for Adult Learning received the additional honor of being selected for the 2020 Michael L. Schrock, AIA Merit Award (see description below).

The Michael L. Schrock, AIA, Merit Award was created to honor Mike Schrock, AIA, who tragically passed away in 2008. This is an additional honor awarded within the context and structure of the AIA Minneapolis Merit Awards to the winning project that most embodies Michael’s 7 Rules of Architecture:

  1. Know where you are from.
  2. Know who you are.
  3. Know why you are.
  4. Respect your benefactors.
  5. Honor the environment.
  6. Architecture must serve those who occupy it.
  7. There is beauty in functional, economical, safe, environmentally responsible, owner-driven architecture.

The Merit Award jury included: Nina Ebigghausen, AIA, University of Minnesota and Alliiance; Susan Krautbauer, National Cristina Foundation; Kelly Leighton, Capsule; Michael Roehr, AIA, AIA Minneapolis President-elect and RoehrSchmitt Architecture, LLC; Brent Webb, Mortenson. The jury reviewed how well the entries achieved client/team satisfaction, technical innovation, environmental responsibility, budget/business success, community impact, and the architectural solution.

AIA Minneapolis is the largest chapter in Minnesota with more than 1,600 members. Centered in Minneapolis, the chapter territory includes the southwestern portion of the state. As a large chapter, AIA Minneapolis participates with other large AIA chapters nationwide to focus attention on significant issues facing AIA members. The chapter provides leadership, networking, and outreach opportunities for its members.