The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced Friday (August 13) the winners of its 2010 2010 CAE Educational Facility Design Awards. The competition, aims to recognize educational and cultural facilities demonstrating excellence in planning and design, as well as knowledge in design best practices in these types of structures.

The winning Excellence projects are:

* The Cathcart Site, Snohomish, Wash., by NAC|Architecture: A high school and elementary school design that aims to center architecture as the center of meaningfull learning.

* Michael J. Homer Science & Student Life Center, Atherton, Calif., by Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects: The Center aims to promote a strong learning atmosphere via a scientifically inquisitive environment and eco-focused community.
 
* Biomanufacturing Research Institute Technology Enterprise (BRITE), Durham, N.C.,
by O'Brien/Atkins Associates & The Freelon Group: The facility is a leading aspect of the state’s public-private initiative to bringhands-on learning to under-graduate and graduate students interested in pursuing careers in biotechnology.
 
Awards of Merit were also bestowed to:
 
* Manassas Park Elementary School (MPES), Manassas Park, Va., by VMDO Architects, PC: the school is built on a mission that teaching is found through understanding. As such, the building itself serves as a tool for educating children on environmental stewardship via sustainable design and an eco-focused curriculum.
* Gray Middle School, Tacoma, Wash., by Mahlum: the high performance facility provides interactive, community areas for student forums and outdoor learning so students can gain insight into environmentalism and reinforce their shared student identity.
 
Other cited projects included: Thurston Elementary School, Springfield, Ore., by
Mahlum; Concordia International School Shanghai, Shanghai, China, by Perkins Eastman; School Without Walls Senior High School, D.C., by Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects; and Foster Center for Student Innovation, Orono, Me., by Oak Point Associates.
 
For more project information, visit www.aia.org