Two Central Vermont projects have received design excellence awards from the Vermont Chapter of American Institute of Architects. The projects, designed by gbA (Gossens Bachman Architects) of Montpelier, were awarded at AIAVT's annual meeting at the Statehouse on December 4, 2014. The first was award for the Capstone Community Action office. This community development corporation provides a number of programs and services for low to moderate income Vermonters. The non-profit consolidated its services that had been scattered throughout Vermont. The new 23,650-square-foot facility (12,350 new; 11,300 renovated) located in Barre, was designed to promote collaboration and interaction and had many sustainable features. The General Contractor, EF Wall & Associates, Inc. also received the AGCVT Best Builders Award for this project in 2013.
The second award was presented for the Montpelier District Heat Plant. This unique public-private partnership created a central bio-mass fueled power plant, providing a heat source for all state buildings and the entire Montpelier City Downtown District. The architecture of the plant is a direct response to the technical needs of the advanced equipment. It's design aims to create a contemporary example of a power plant, offering the community transparent views of its energy production while protecting the visibility of the Statehouse. One jury commented that this project had "raised the bar for buildings like this."
The project was completed this past summer and constructed by Engelberth Construction.
gbA is a architectural design and planning firm located in Montpelier, Vermont. gbA strives to design places that are an integral part of a larger local and global community with connections to people, culture and nature. More information can be found at gbarchitecture.com
Photo Credit: Gary Hall Photography