Monday, October 11, 2010

MCC Buildings Win Regional Design Awards

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City and architecture firm Gould Evans have been recognized by the Central States Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for architectural achievement on three of MCC’s storm shelters.

The MCC-Penn Valley Education Center, MCC-Maple Woods Campus Center and MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center, which serve their respective campuses and surrounding communities as FEMA-certified shelter environments, each received a Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture at an AIA event last month in St. Louis, Mo. The three buildings, which opened in 2009, were designed by architects from Gould Evans’ Kansas City office.

“We take great pride in this recognition from the AIA,” said Mark James, MCC chancellor. “These buildings are not only beautifully designed but they serve a significant function in the event of severe weather.”

FEMA shelters must be able to withstand an F5 tornado and must be within five minutes’ walking or driving distance from everywhere on the campus.

“We are delighted with the design solution for each campus location and how well they serve their separate programs,” said Anthony Rohr, AIA, Gould Evans national managing principal. “The entire team never thought of these buildings as shelters, but as architecture.”

The Central States Chapter of AIA represents professionals in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

The Kansas Chapter of AIA also recognized the same three buildings last month, presenting a Citation Award for Excellence in Architecture at their annual design awards ceremony in Topeka on September 16.

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