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Century-Old Park District Building Restoration
Recognized For Design Excellence
By American Institute Of Architects Chapter

The American Institute of Architects Northeast Illinois Chapter presented six awards for excellence at ceremonies held December 1, 1993, at The Lodge at McDonald's Campus, Oakbrook, announced chapter president, Michael Meissner, AIA, of Hinsdale. 1993 Awards Committee Chairman, John Ochoa, AIA of FCM, Oakbrook, reported that 37 projects designed by architects in suburban Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties were submitted for jury review. According to Linda Searl, AIA, of Searl and Associates, Chicago, Chairperson of the Jury, the caliber of the submissions was high and demonstrated considerable attention to detail. "We were pleased to give awards to those projects whose architects strongly and clearly interpreted the unique demands of the particular building," she commented.

Following is a list of the winners. Project details, jury comments and photos are attached. Additional images and color are available on request.

Honor Awards
St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Geneva, contracted by Prisco Duffy & Associates, Naperville, designed by Edward J. Duffy, Naperville St. Patrick Mission Church, St. Charles, contracted by Prisco Duffy & Associates, Naperville, designed by Edward J. Duffy, Naperville

Certificate of Merit
U.S. Post Office, Villa Park, designed by Interplan Practice, Oakbrook Terrace

Certificate of Merit:
Special Recognition for Restoration
Pavilion at Lord's Park, Elgin, designed by Dahlquist & Lutzow, Elgin

U.S. Post Office, Villa Park, Illinois (Interplan Practice)

Certificate of Merit

U.S. Post Office, Villa Park, Illinois
Interplan Practice

Because of site and community considerations, a unique design solution was required for this 11,360 square foot post office. The slope of the land precluded the entrance from facing the street and the community wanted the front to face the heart of the town. Therefore, the main entrance and customer parking had to be raised above street level at the north end, while post office vehicle and employee parking had to be below street level at the south end. Acknowledging the long sloping drive to reach customer parking, the entry needed to be accentuated. This is accomplished through white bands separated by a blue recessed strip, and by a free-standing blue tiled colonnade in front of another colonnade of gray tile, forming a separation from the main building and creating a landscape court between customer parking and the entries. The banding is carried out around the entire building, helping to form the rear delivery spaces. It also continues as a free-standing wall to screen post office vehicles, a fueling station and employee parking. The customer interior spaces are divided into the lockbox lobby, the service lobby and the Postmaster's Office. The lobby spaces flow together along a floor-to-ceiling glass wall separated by glass doors. Colorful tiled floor pattern and coffered lighting panels extend along this spine. The floor pattern is also used under the exterior colonnade and terminates at a stone memorial at the east and slopes down a ramp to the west.

Jury Comments: It has a clean, crisp concept of how to deal with a difficult site. The architect did a particularly good job of masking the parking. This is a good example of achieving good design with the Postal Service's kit-o-parts approach.

Pavillion at Lord's Park, Elgin Illinois (Dahlquist and Lutzow Architects)

Certificate of Merit: Special Recognition for Restoration

Pavilion at Lord's Park, Elgin, Illinois
Dahlquist & Lutzow Architects

In a prominent position in Lord's Park overlooking idyllic ponds, this Pavilion has been recognized as a symbol of the community's heritage for nearly 100 years. It has long been the focal point for a variety of cultural and recreational activities. But it has suffered from decay, structural failure and disrepair. In addition, "modernization" efforts over the years masked or removed much of the original architectural detail. Eventually it was closed due to life safety concerns. The preservation philosophy was to repair the building structurally, restore its original architectural integrity and maximize the use of the lower level. Thus, the preservation included restoring the original maple floor and vaulted ceiling, replacing 1960s lighting with period chandeliers and sconces and replacing a cupola added in the 1970s with one based upon early photographs.

Jury Comments: It is evident that the architect took trouble to research the original detailing for the building. It is a worthy project, nicely done and should be appreciated as good preservation of architecture.

Certificates of Merit:
Special Recognition for Interior Architecture
Tailor, Needle and Thread - Alterations in a Hurry, at Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, designed by David F. Schultz, Barrington
ServiceMaster Corporation Management Learning Center, Downers Grove, designed by Walter C. Carlson Associates, Deerfield

January 1994 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5


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