AIA Pittsburgh's Design Pittsburgh 2015
ARCHITECTURE: Certificate of Merit
PROJECT: School of Freshwater Sciences
CLIENT: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
ARCHITECTURE FIRM: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson with Continuum Architects + Planners
ENGINEERS: GRAEF; Henneman Engineering; PSJ Engineering; Bloom Companies, LLC
CONTRACTORS: J.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Christopher Barrett
DESCRIPTION: The location of the site along the Kinnickinnic River as it flows into Lake Michigan is replete with industrial activity – shipping containers, tug boats, freighters, and coal pile reserves. Within this context, the School of Freshwater Sciences was designed to be an icon for important freshwater research and a stimulus for future development, with inspiration found in expressing the nature of water.
JURY COMMENTS: The architect successfully alluded to the past use of the building as a ceramics plant, while providing a simple straight ahead solution that reflects its current use as a building dedicated to freshwater sciences and its location near the Great Lakes with a playful façade that has movement, color, texture ,and beauty.