2015 Active Design Excellence Awards Expand Focus on Innovation in Research

Last year’s inaugural Center for Active Design: Excellence Awards began as an effort to recognize and bring awareness to the transformative role that the design of buildings and public spaces plays in addressing the ongoing chronic disease epidemic. In providing transparent guidelines for entrants to follow and rational juror decisions that correlate clearly with those guidelines, the Excellence Awards proved to rise above a sea of superfluous design competitions. Read officeinsight’s coverage of the first competition at https://officeinsight.com/2137.

This year’s Excellence Awards expanded to include a category for research, recognizing the essential role of evidence in active design. Many of this year’s design and research submissions received from around the world identified active design as the key priority of their work.

“Regardless of the size, location, or use, the Excellence award winners serve as catalysts for broad-based community transformation, maximizing their impact by embracing a cross discipline approach to the design process, which in many cases included use of the active design Guidelines from the outset,” said Joanna Frank, CfAD’s executive director, in the awards selection announcement.

“Excellence award winners are inspiring precedents for future design and research, further demonstrating the power of design in providing opportunities for physical activity and food access, while embracing many other needs of the communities they serve.”

The jury selected six winners and five honorable mentions for the Center for Active Design: Excellence award. A few notes about the judging process:

  • The jury was unaware of the design firms or teams that submitted the entries when selecting winners.
  • Selection criteria required that projects be built or published and include at least one of CfAD’s four Active Design approaches: Active Transportation; Active Recreation; Healthy Food Access; or Active Building.
  • Both the research and design submissions were evaluated on the extent to which they exemplified, incorporated, and built upon strategies found in the Active Design Guidelines.
  • In addition to health-promotion, preference was given to projects that included cross-sector and stakeholder collaboration and addressed larger existing disparities in the community.

Jury members included: David Burney, FAIA, board chair, Center for Active Design; Linda Gibbs, principal, Bloomberg Associates; Jim Sallis, Ph.D, director, Active Living Research; Susan Sellers, head of design, Metropolitan Museum of Art; and Craig Dykers, partner, Snohetta (represented by Anne-Rachel Schiffmann, senior architect, Snohetta).

A May 11th “Celebrate Active Design” cocktail reception will celebrate the award recipients, hosted by Steelcase in New York City. The event is open to the public from 6-8pm, and tickets are available through the Center’s award website at http://awards.centerforactivedesign.org/.

Below is a curated selection of the winning projects that might appeal to and inspire the work of our officeinsight readers.

Winning Designs

Project: New Settlement Community Campus

2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.NewSettlementCommunityCenter.DavidSunForEstoPhotography.jpgNew Settlement Community Campus in the Bronx, New York City, by Dattner Architects and Edelman Sultan Knox Wood / Architects. Photography courtesy of David Sun For Esto Photography 2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.NewSettlementCommunityCenter-StreetView.DavidSunForEstoPhotography.jpgA street view of the New Settlement Community Campus in the Bronx, New York City, by Dattner Architects and Edelman Sultan Knox Wood / Architects. Photography courtesy of David Sun For Esto Photography

  • Location: Bronx, New York City, NY
  • Type: Shared School / Community Facility
  • Size: 172,000 sq.ft.
  • Year Completed: September 2012
  • Architect: Dattner Architects, Edelman Sultan Knox Wood / Architects
  • Project Partners: Developer: Settlement Housing Fund. Client Agencies: New Settlement Community Campus, NYC School Construction Authority

The New Settlement Community Campus in the Bronx, New York started with a simple desire for a public swimming pool, but soon expanded into an innovative and joint-use project that tackled school overcrowding and a dearth of local community services. Bringing together community activities that were previously located in various neighboring affordable housing buildings, the New Settlement Community Campus provides a resource for both students and residents in this low-income community.

Designed by Dattner Architects and Edelman Sultan Knox Wood / Architects the New Settlement Community Campus is a vital community hub providing 1,160 K-12 students and the surrounding neighborhood with a wide range of indoor and outdoor learning spaces, fitness classes, and activity hubs, along with a healthy food program and on-site health clinic.

Active design principles are incorporated into the building layout, which focuses on transparency and accessibility. Stairs are visibly prominent, naturally lit, and centrally located to encourage use. A rooftop garden and adjacent cooking classroom are provided, allowing community members and students to learn more about growing and cooking fresh produce. Outdoor play areas are adjacent to the street, bringing added life and activity to the neighborhood.

  • Jury Comments: “The New Settlement Community Campus activates every possible opportunity on the site, showing that health and community are visible and valued,” said Susan Sellers.

Project: Guthrie Green

2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.GuthrieGreen.JonnuSingleton.jpgGuthrie Green park and urban square in Tulsa, OK, by SWA Group. Photography courtesy of Jonnu Singleton 2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.GuthrieGreenIllustrativePlan.SWAGroup.jpgGuthrie Green park and urban square in Tulsa, OK, by SWA Group. Photography courtesy of SWA Group

  • Location: Tulsa, OK
  • Type: Park and Urban Square
  • Size 2.7 Acres
  • Year Completed: September 2012
  • Architect: SWA Group
  • Project Partners: George Kaiser Family Foundation. Architect: Kinslow, Keith & Todd. Structural And Civil Engineer: Wallace Engineering. Fountain Consultants: CMS. Lighting Designer: Schuler Shook. M/E/P Engineer: Flynt & Kallenberger. Geothermal Consultant: OSU Stillwater, Dr. James Bose. Community Outreach: Creative Community Builders. Construction Management: Manhattan Construction Company, Stonebridge Group, Tulsa Industrial Authority. Geothermal Wellfield Technology and Installation: Rygan Corp

Submitted by the SWA Group, the 2.7-acre Guthrie Green Park serves as a central hub for social and cultural events for the community, now receiving over 10,000 visitors annually. Given that Oklahoma has some of the worst obesity and life expectancy rates in the country, team members aimed to use this project to promote health and physical activity among residents.

The design converts a former truck yard into a flexible venue for community gatherings set among gardens, a central lawn, park pavilion, outdoor stage, and interactive fountains that invite visitors to connect with nature and join community events.

A geo-exchange grid under the park supplies heating and cooling for nearby non-profit organizations, further contributing to revitalization of Tulsa’s downtown Brady Arts District. The George Kaiser Family Foundation spearheaded the project’s public-private partnership and continues to provide park management and a robust program of activities such as year-round fitness classes, bicycle races, farmers markets, musical events, and “Tulsa Pulse”, a festival focused on health and wellness. Beloved by community residents, and visitors alike, the park offers convenient access to nine bus lines, a trolley, and a bike share system, encouraging active commuting by visitors.

  • Jury Comments: “Guthrie Green re-enlivens a downtown using clear active design connections – walking paths, farmers markets, and park area. In doing so this project is addressing health and equity issues in a state with very high rates of obesity,” said David Burney.

Project: Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool

2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.StanfordHealthyNeighborhoodDiscoveryTool.jpgThe Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool is conducting ongoing testing in the United States, Mexico and Israel. Photography courtesy of awards.centerforactivedesign.org 2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.StanfordHealthyNeighborhoodDiscoveryTool.Stanford.jpgTwo residents test the Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool. Photography courtesy of Stanford

  • Location: United States, Mexico, Israel
  • Type: Neighborhood Assessment Tool
  • Timeframe: 2010 – Testing Ongoing
  • Project Partners: Stanford Research Team: Abby C King (PI) – Professor of Medicine and Health Research & Policy, Sandra J Winter, PhD, MHA, Research Associate, Jylana L Sheats, PhD, MPH, Research Associate, Lisa Goldman, PhD, MPH, Instructor of Medicine. Lead Researchers: Matthew Buman, PhD, Assistant Professor, Arizona State University, AZ, Juan Rivera, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico, Deborah Salvo, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Texas, Austin, TX, Rebecca Seguin, PhD, Assistant Professor, Cornell University, New York, Dr. Mika Moran (PI) – Postdoc Research fellow, University of Haifa School of Public Health

The Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool is a research project that empowers citizens with technology to have an impact on policy decisions that effect the built environment. Researchers from the Stanford Prevention Research Center and the Stanford University School of Medicine, equipped resident “citizen scientists,” with technology, allowing them to asses their neighborhoods and advocate for more support for healthy living.

Using recorded, geo-coded photographs and audio narratives, GPS-tracked walking routes, and survey responses, residents have successfully engaged policy makers and collaborated on funding decisions for built environment improvements. The citizen scientist application has now been used in three countries (Mexico, Israel, USA), leveraging resident “citizen scientists” and mobile technology that empowers communities to promote active living and healthy eating.

  • Jury Comments: “Citizen Scientist is a substantive research tool and a big step towards broader community engagement. This app allows people to be involved in the discussion and planning of the state of their neighborhood,” said David Burney.

Honorable Mentions

Project: Fulton Center

2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.FultonCenter.JamesEwing.jpgFulton Center transportation hub in New York City, by Grimshaw Architects and ARUP. Photography courtesy of James Ewing 2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.FultonCenter.GrimshawArchitects.jpgFulton Center transportation hub in New York City, by Grimshaw Architects and ARUP. Photography courtesy of Grimshaw Architects

  • Location: New York City, New York
  • Type: Transportation Hub
  • Size: 366,000 sq.ft.
  • Year Completed: November 2014
  • Architect: Grimshaw Architects, ARUP
  • Project Partners: Design Team: James Carpenter Design Associates. Client Agencies: Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit

The newly renovated Fulton Center transit center in New York City’s financial district effectively organizes the circulation patterns of about 300,000 daily riders between eight train lines. Designed by Grimshaw Architects under prime design consultant Arup, the Fulton Center is focused around a new civic space with a grand oculus bringing in ample light into waiting areas that were previously dimly lit and confusing. The improved Fulton Center not only simplifies transit connections, but also provides 65,000 square feet of retail and office space.

Features such as wider and brighter concourses make walking between subway lines a more enjoyable and less confusing experience. A spiral staircase located centrally in the atrium attracts the attention of visitors, and wayfinding signage and interactive information kiosks are strategically placed throughout the station. A new pedestrian tunnel offers expanded connections to additional subway and transit lines. Today’s Fulton Center is a model of transit efficiency and ease-of-use. Both a neighborhood asset and regional interchange, the Fulton Center fulfills a significant civic role as a gateway to and from Lower Manhattan.

  • Jury Comments: “This project exemplifies Active Design with the celebration of vertical movement, using a playful design of the stair around the elevator, natural light to draw you up through the space, and the organization of the space to allow for visual connections,” said David Burney.

Project: Gateway Community College

2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.GatewayCommunityCollege.WoodruffBrown.jpgGateway Community College in New Haven, CT, by Perkins+Will. Photography courtesy of Woodruff Brown 2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.GatewayCommunityCollege.Electroland.jpgGateway Community College in New Haven, CT, by Perkins+Will. Photography courtesy of Electroland

  • Location: New Haven, CT
  • Type: University Campus
  • Size: 367,000 sq.ft.
  • Year Completed: September 2012
  • Architect: Perkins+Will
  • Project Partners: Client Agencies: State of Connecticut Department of Construction Services / Gateway Community College. Construction Manager: Dimeo Construction Company. Construction Administrator: Gilbane Building Company. MEP Engineer: BVH Integrated Services. Civil Engineer: Stantec. Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti. Urban Planning and Community Relations: Alan Plattus, Yale Institute. Food Service: Romano Gatland. Lighting: HLB. Cost Estimating: Daedalus. Landscape Design: Towers Golde. Security Consultant: Elert & Associates. A/V: Shen Milsom Wilke. Traffic and Transportation: CDM Smith. Code Consultant: Bruce J. Spiewak. Geotechnical: Haley & Aldrich. Vertical Transportation: Van Deusen & Associates. Dispersion: RWDI. Graphics and Signage: Group C. Library: Peter Genovese. Photovoltaic: Relab. FF&E: ID3A. Audio Visual Installation: Electroland. Energy Modeling: RDK Engineers. Printing: Merritt Graphics

The Gateway Community College project represents how thoughtful design can create an educational environment that promotes health, while anchoring the urban revitalization. Submitted by Perkins + Will, this project is designed around a central atrium and open stairway, which links the academic spaces and doubles as the primary gathering space. Informal stadium seating and lounges are provided around this central core. Classroom wings also offer open access to a series of egress stairs, enhanced with hold-open devices, abundant daylight, comfortable width, and views to a rain garden. A range of exterior spaces, like a roof garden and multi-purpose courtyard, are offered to support on-site recreation and special programming.

Located in a formerly neglected part of New Haven, Gateway Community College enhances the neighborhood pedestrian environment through the addition of more public elements, such as an interactive, LED art installation visible through the building facade. The images that are projected as part of this art installation are curated by the students and provide a greater identity for themselves and the campus community.

  • Jury Comments: “Gateway Community College is particularly successful at providing the students an opportunity to participate in the art and design of their school,” said Anne-Rachel Schiffmann. “The project reinvigorates this area of New Haven by enlivening the pedestrian environment and adding to the public realm.”

Project: New York City Police Academy

2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.NewYorkPoliceAcademy-TerraceToNorth.Perkins+Will.jpgNew York City Police Academy in college Point, NY, by Perkins+Will and Michael Fieldman Architects. Photography courtesy of Perkins+Will 2015/2015.0427.CFADExcellenceAwards.NewYorkPoliceAcademy.EdHueber.jpgNew York City Police Academy in college Point, NY, by Perkins+Will and Michael Fieldman Architects. Photography courtesy of Ed Hueber

  • Location: College Point, NY
  • Type: Office Building
  • Size 2.4 million sq.ft.
  • Year Completed: 2013
  • Architect: Perkins+Will, Michael Fieldman Architects
  • Project Partners: Design Team: Michael Fieldman Architects. Client agencies: NYC Police Department, NYC Department of Design and Construction

The New York City Police Academy was designed from its outset using the Active Design Guidelines. It consolidates many of the Police Department’s existing training facilities into one consolidated campus. Built on a former landfill site and submitted by the New York City Department of Design and Construction, the campus offers numerous opportunities for occupants to engage in physical activity.

A monumental stair is featured at the building’s entrance that connects physically and visually to the circulation stairs located throughout the plan. Egress stair doors on each floor use hold-open devices to maximize visibility into stairwells. Fitness facilities include a swimming pool, indoor exercise spaces, outdoor running tracks and walking routes that move users around landscaped gardens, which are also usable by the surrounding community.

  • Jury Comments: “Making it mandatory for cadets to use the stairs and designing the building to celebrate this policy is a powerful story,” said Jim Sallis. “It’s clear the Active Design Guideline’s have been extremely successful, and stairs are back as a design element.”

The full list of winning projects also includes:

  • City of Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain: Master plan, by the City of Pontevedra. This year’s Leadership in Active Design: Excellence award was given to Pontevedra, a city that showed systematic and successful integration of Active Design within its design, planning, and policy efforts.
  • Queens Plaza, Long Island City, NY: Bicycle and pedestrian improvements, by Marpillero Pollak Architects
  • Casitas de Colores, Albuquerque, NM: Mixed income multi-family housing, by Dekker/Perich/Sabatini

The full list of honorable mentions also includes:

  • Space to Grow: Greening Chicago’s Schoolyards, Chicago, IL: Schoolyard renovation, by project partners: Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Department of Water Management, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Healthy Schools Campaign, Openlands, First 4 pilot school projects: Conservation Design Forum, Hey & Associates
  • Safe Cycling Design Manual for Istanbul, Istanbul Metropolitan Area: Evidence-based report, by project partners: EMBARQ Turkey, Technical team: Çiğdem Çörek Öztaş, Merve Akı, Tolga İmamoğlu, Pınar Köse, Sercan Selvi, Istanbul Development Agency, Superpool, Akademetre

Access full details for all projects at http://awards.centerforactivedesign.org.