bws | Architects
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BWS ARCHITECTS RANKED IN TOP 10
The Tucson firm of BWS Architects has been ranked one of the top 10 firms in the U.S. by Architect magazine, a national publication that serves the architectural design community. At number seven in the ARCHITECT 50, BWS Architects is grouped with some of the best known firms in the country – Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (2), Perkins & Will (5), NBBJ (19) and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (45).
Reporter Amanda Kolson Hurley wrote: "Under-the-radar BWS has extensive experience in library and school design. Its Applied Research and Development Building at Northern Arizona University received LEED Platinum certification."
In creating this new ranking, the magazine looked beyond firm size as a measure of success, because "size is just one, not-terribly-revealing measure of an architecture firm." Hurley goes on: "We designed the ARCHITECT 50 quite simply to promote a more well-rounded definition of success. The criteria for inclusion comprise a trifecta of critical goals for every practice: profitability, sustainability, and design quality."
BWS Architects is led by Dave Burns, David Wald-Hopkins and Robin Shambach, three architects who have worked quietly - "under-the-radar" – together for 16 years, designing award-winning public buildings with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. They are responsible for the Applied Research and Development Building at Northern Arizona University, one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the U.S. They also designed the Edith Ball Aquatics Center at Reid Park which provides shade for the pools with a large tent structure, and the stone-clad Public Library for the Town of Oro Valley.
BWS Architects was recognized by the Cornerstone Foundation as the Architect of the Year in 2008.
For further information, contact David Wald-Hopkins at (520) 795-2705 or dwaldhopkins@bwsarchitects.com
For Immediate Release
BWS Project receives International Award from British Architects
Northern Arizona University's Applied Research and Development building has received a 2009 International Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects. The building is the work of Burns Wald-Hopkins Shambach (BWS) Architects of Tucson in collaboration with Hopkins Architects of London.
The award from the British Architects, given to 15 international projects, places the NAU project in the ranks of two iconic buildings from the Beijing Olympics – the "Bird's Nest" and the "Water Cube" – as well as the Saxo Bank building in Copenhagen and the British High Commission in Sri Lanka.
The Applied Research and Development building in one of the most energy efficient buildings in the world with a Platinum certification from the United States Green Building Council's LEED program, and it was this that brought the project to the attention of the judges. They felt the architects' ability to "reshape their designs to take on board the need for more sustainable construction and lower energy consumption" was impressive. The building uses almost 90% less energy than a typical academic building, incorporating many innovative sustainable strategies including low-pressure under-floor air distribution, an efficient heat-recovery air conditioning system, reclaimed water flushing of toilets, and a green roof on the meeting rooms. A 160-kilowatt off-site photovoltaic installation generates about 20% of the building's electricity.
Behind the south facing glass wall is a three-story naturally-conditioned gallery that creates an informal gathering space for interdisciplinary interaction. Louvers and blinds shade the gallery from the high summer sun and operable windows provide effective cooling with convective ventilation. In the winter the low sun penetrates the gallery to warm the concrete structure and its occupants. The gallery also serves as a thermal buffer for the offices behind.
The full list of RIBA award winners is available on line
Review NAU's news release on the International Award at vocus.com
For additional information contact David Wald-Hopkins: dwaldhopkins@bwsarchitects.com or (520) 795-2705