While an architect’s character flaws can manifest themselves in many unexpected and anti-social ways – all of which will be addressed in subsequent blog posts – one of the more socially acceptable way that architects pursue praise is through the multitude of  design awards programs.

We submit our work wherever and whenever we think it can win. Regardless, we lose almost all the time knowing nothing about why.  Specifically, we’ve submitted our recently completed Credit Union Project on Michigan NE, here in Grand Rapids, for awards at almost every opportunity for recognition with no success.

342 Michigan Finished Interiors as Submitted

It’s a good, not great, building. One of our best, but not without flaws. One of the biggest frustrations, for us, in the project was that we were not able to control the interior design.  Without going into an extensive critique of the final interiors of the project, it is safe to say that we never expected to see the the interior of this building rendered in blue and brown.  We’ve struggled with the presentation of the building and toyed with presenting the whole project in black and white to minimize the disconnect between the architecture and the interiors, but ultimately we’ve elected to stick with the color.

342 Michigan Finished Interiors as Suggested

Our most recent rejection came with some juror commentary: “…obvious that the interiors and architecture were done by different firms.” And, “…this project should be submitted in black & white.”  There is no doubt that a different jury would look on the same submittal in its own unique way. But, we’re not ones to let pearls of direct, constructive criticism pass without action. We will report the next time we submit this project for consideration: monochromatically.