At last week's annual convention in San Francisco, the American Institute of Architects handed out its Honor Awards in architecture, interior, and urban design. One local project made the cut in the urban design category: the Orange County Great Park by Mexican firm TEN Arquitectos. According to the AIA, the jurors appreciated “'the use of the former runway as an inspiration and opportunity' to form the canyon, 'a supergraphic that creates an urban poetic gesture at a large scale.'” Noticeably missing from the awards: landscape architect and coke bottle glasses enthusiast Ken Smith, who is the full-time designer for the park. When completed, the 1,400 acre park should include an arboretum, a sports park, amphitheater, aviation museum and several cultural and community centers. The Comprehensive Park Design plan was approved by the Great Park board in February, allowing the park to move from planning to production. Watch a video about the park and its future plans here.
· 2009 AIA Honor Awards [Official Site]
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