ULI Philadelphia announced eight winners in the 3rd Annual Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III Awards for Excellence, including the Venice Island Transformation. ULI named the collaborative project as one of 15 finalists in May.

The jury cited it as “an excellent collaboration by city staff and focused outside professionals.”

The project transformed Venice Island from a flood-prone, semi-abandoned site into the centerpiece of a cultural revitalization in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood. BKP designed the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center part of the project. Hazen and Sawyer designed infrastructure improvements, including sophisticated stormwater management and a four-million-gallon underground water storage tank and pumping station to alleviate flooding. Andropogon collaborated with Hazen and Sawyer, BKP, the Manayunk Development Corporation, and Philadelphia Water Department on master planning the five-acre site. Last year, the Delaware Valley Green Building Council honored the project and team with a Groundbreaker Award for the project’s commitment to sustainability.

The ULI Rouse Awards recognize outstanding and transformational land use developments, best practices, and creative visioning. Awards are named for ULI founder and civic leader, the late Bill Rouse. Award criteria goes beyond good design to honor responsible land use and creating and sustaining thriving communities.

Click to read the ULI Philadelphia announcement.

Click to learn more about the Venice Island Performing Arts Center.

 

BKP announces that Caitlin A. Daley, AIA, has been named an Associate. A registered architect and project manager, Caitlin has been part of the BKP team since 2010. A capable team leader and creative designer, Caitlin engages with clients, consultants, and contractors to create meaningful places. In particular, she has been a trusted and valued partner of client teams, successfully completing numerous projects at the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and Georgetown University, among others. Caitlin also takes the initiative to mentor younger staff members, contributing to a collaborative studio environment within the office.

With insight and a sense of order, Caitlin seeks the best solutions for every project. “To me, the beauty of architecture is that no problem is too big to be solved. Everything can be broken down into a series of smaller challenges, each with its own set of constraints.”

“With naming Caitlin as an Associate, we recognize her many contributions to the firm,” said Principal Darrell Kratzer, AIA, LEED AP. “Her leadership and architectural skills will benefit our clients, projects, and teams well into the future.”

Click to read Caitlin’s biography.

The Wildwood Crest Branch of the Cape May County Library System opened in the summer of 2015. Inspired by the region’s iconic, colorful Doo Wop architecture, BKP designed a building that had its shore community in mind. Enhanced with sustainability features, technology, and programmatic amenities, the library has become an active community center. Everyone at BKP is proud of the collaboration with our clients and the library’s Architecture with Purpose. Watch to hear how Cape May County library officials and BKP Principal Joseph Powell, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, describe the project.

UPDATE – The Venice Island Transformation was one of three finalists to win a 2015 Groundbreaker Award from the Delaware Valley Green Building Council. Brandywine Realty Trust’s Cira Green and The Challenge Program’s Construction Training and Education Center were the evening’s other two winners. BKP congratulates its teammates, the other winning teams, and the other finalists.

“By working together, we created something better than each of our individual parts,” said BKP Principal Joseph Powell, AIA, LEED AP.

Click to read Philadelphia Magazine’s Property November 13 coverage of the award.