The San Diego branch of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently announced the winners of its prestigious Design Awards, honoring outstanding projects in the field of architecture. These annual awards, established in 1960, recognize top-tier architectural achievements and improvements across the region.
This year’s competition saw a notable inclusion for the second time of Tijuana projects, demonstrating the AIA’s commitment to highlighting architectural innovation beyond borders. The awards include various categories, with five distinguished jurors from leading architecture firms selected to determine the winners.
The top honor of the evening is designated as an Honor award, followed by Merit and Citation awards. Categories for student projects, urban design, and those from Tijuana were adjudicated by a local jury, ensuring a comprehensive representation of talent and excellence.
Among the notable winners is MiraCosta College’s Health and Wellness Hub, which received a Citation for Architecture. Designed by HMC Architects, this 66,000-square-foot facility unites several health-related academic disciplines. One juror remarked on the project’s “pleasant vibe,” praising its integration of recreation and academic spaces, all benefiting from San Diego’s ideal climate.
In the category of Honor for Architecture, Torrey Heights stands out as a remarkable life science campus. Flad Architects designed this expansive 515,000-square-foot space, which earned accolades for its aesthetically pleasing facades, green roofs, and meticulously planned plaza. A juror highlighted it as “a robust pure architecture project, interesting, thoughtful, beautifully done.”
The Nancy Ridge Life Science and Office Building, conceptualized by Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects, also captured an Honor for Architecture. This project marks a successful transformation of a former warehouse into a modern life sciences laboratory. Jurors commended its “clear architectural vision” and called attention to the striking contrast with the dated original structure.
The Jacobs Music Center of the San Diego Symphony received an Honor for Interior Architecture. HGA led the upgrades that elevated the venue’s circulation patterns, support spaces, and mechanical systems. “An extraordinary effort across all aspects of this project,” a juror noted, praising the stunning new elements that harmoniously blend with the original interiors.
For multifamily residential projects, the El Cerrito apartments won an Honor. LPA Design Studios created this innovative eight-story modular community using recycled shipping containers to develop 172 apartments. A juror described the project as “interesting, innovative, high performance, and beautiful,” showcasing contemporary design principles.
UC San Diego’s York Hall also secured an Honor for Preservation. This renovation preserved the mid-century architectural character of the building while implementing a seismic retrofit. Jurors appreciated the thoughtful balance of modern improvements and historic integrity.
The Balboa Park Botanical Building, which recently underwent a significant restoration, received an Honor for Preservation as well. Designed by Platt/Whitelaw Architects, this beloved icon in Balboa Park saw a $26.5 million investment to rehabilitate its structure. Jurors emphasized the importance of city collaboration and praised the effort to maintain this treasured landmark.
In the urban design category, the Civita Master Plan was awarded an Honor. Architect Carrier Johnson + Culture received commendations for creating a community in Mission Valley known for its exceptional walkability, ecological restoration, and access to transit. One juror described it as offering “a comprehensive and visionary solution to reimagining a post-industrial site.”
In a noteworthy addition, the RIC Office situated in Tijuana received a Citation for Tijuana Architecture. Designed by Saen Studio, this office space was lauded for its use of natural materials and elegant refinement. Jurors noted it represented the aspirations of architects in the region to differentiate themselves through quality design.
Additionally, the Student Award was conferred upon Tyler West, a recent graduate of San Diego’s NewSchool of Architecture and Design. His design for an ecology-focused charter school was celebrated for effectively addressing environmental challenges while incorporating educational opportunities through natural light and water treatment systems. A juror hailed it as “an exemplary model of resilience in architecture.”
The 2023 AIA Design Awards not only celebrate architectural excellence but also reflect the ongoing dedication to innovative and responsible design within the San Diego community and beyond.
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