Olson Kundig is honored to share that two projects have been recognized with awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA): The Wagner Center at the Center for Wooden Boats (led by design principal Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, and principal Steven Rainville, AIA, LEED AP) has received a Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Award, and Manhattan Beach Residence (led by design principals Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, and Edward Lalonde) has received a Housing Award. The annual AIA COTE Top Ten Awards program recognizes projects that set new standards in sustainable design, while the AIA Housing Awards program recognizes architectural design excellence in residential projects.

The design of the Wagner Education Center at the Center for Wooden Boats was inspired by the wooden boats housed within: it is a functional, straightforward building that serves as an armature for the Center’s activities, supporting the display, restoration and appreciation of wooden boats. Informed by the hands-on nature of sailing, the building incorporates a manually operated passive ventilation system that allows users to “sail” the building. This passive system creates a relationship between user, climate, and built environment where occupants are the system—sensors, actuators, and data collectors.

“It’s a huge honor to receive these awards, especially for these two projects,” Tom shares. “The Center for Wooden Boats really showcases our approach to sustainable architecture, which is responsive to the natural conditions of the site as well as the changing needs of users. We were fortunate to work with an amazing group of clients and volunteers who were excited by the opportunity to have that kind of relationship with their building. On Manhattan Beach Residence, our clients trusted us to experiment with materials and proportions, to create a home that would connect to that big horizon line while remaining open to the surrounding neighborhood and the climate of Los Angeles. I could not be more proud to have that work recognized by the AIA.”

“We’re very grateful to receive the COTE Top Ten Award on behalf of a unique team effort that delivered a project worthy of the amazing Center for Wooden Boats,” Steven adds. “Collectively, we couldn’t be more honored to enable CWB’s mission to connect the region, especially youth, with the water in such a tactile way. This project embodies a mindset of adaptability and connection to nature, giving occupants the agency to respond to changing conditions and embrace a broader, more personal definition of comfort. This recognition from the Committee on the Environment validates that vision.”

Manhattan Beach Residence was designed to balance a utilitarian design approach with the clients’ active and creative lifestyle. The home navigates a 21-foot grade change across the site by using a cadence of solid and void volumes to capture natural daylight, maximize views of the Pacific Ocean, and frame a protected interior courtyard. It features a black steel exterior that retains a distinct expression while complementing the eclectic beach vernacular of the surrounding stucco, wood-framed, and mid-century homes.

“It was a pleasure to work with two clients who share a background in design,” Edward shares. “That common language encourages a different level of collaboration that can lead to unexpected results. I believe it’s this relationship that makes Manhattan Beach Residence stand out in our portfolio of residential work and helped it to resonate with the AIA Housing jury.”

For more information on The Wagner Center at the Center for Wooden Boats, Manhattan Beach Residence, and other AIA award winners, please visit AIA.

The Wagner Center at the Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle, Washington, USA
Design Principals: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA
Principal: Steven Rainville, AIA, LEED AP
Project Architect: Angus MacGregor, RIBA, LEED AP BD+C
Architectural Staff: Derek Santo, LEED AP BD+C, Dawn McConaghy, and Simon Clews
Building Performance: Vikram Sami, AIA, BEMP, LEED AP
Hanging Boat Installation: Tom Kundig, Alan Maskin and Angus MacGregor
Gizmo Design: Phil Turner with KB Architectural Services
General Contractor: Schuchart
Civil and Structural Engineer: KPFF
Mechanical Engineer: WSP
Electrical Engineer, Lighting Design and Acoustic Consultant: Stantec
Geotech Consultant: Adapt Engineering
Gizmo Fabrication: Alpine Welding
Building Envelope: RDH

Manhattan Beach Residence, Manhattan Beach, California, USA
Design Principals: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, and Edward Lalonde
Project Architect: Nathan Boyd
Architectural Staff: Kozo Nozawa
Landscape Architect: Michelle Arab
General Contractor: Dowbuilt
Civil Engineer: PE&C Engineering
Structural Engineer: PCS Structural Solutions
Lighting Design: O- Lighting
Interior Design: Olson Kundig and HRH Design
Landscape Design-Build: Jones Landscapes
Kinetic Wall Fabrication: KB Architectural
Building Envelope Consultant: RDH Building Science Inc.