Cannon Office Wins AIA Honor Award

The "Power House" renovation/restoration project, St. Louis offices of  Cannon Design, an international architectural, engineering, interior design and planning firm, has been honored with a national American Institute of Architects 2011 Institute Honor Award in the category of Interior Architecture. Considered the profession's highest recognition, the AIA Honor Awards program exemplifies excellence in architecture, interior architecture and urban design.

An original part of the Municipal Service Building complex, the Power House — a designated landmark of the National Historic Register — provided coal-fired steam heat to a dozen downtown buildings. Now, as the regional offices of Cannon Design, the building's "revival style" exterior, featuring tall, arched windows and fine terra cotta detailing, has been fully restored. New floors added within the building's massive volume accommodate 100 employees. Mezzanines preserve the signature arched windows on the north and east elevations, while providing exhibit space for the firm as well as a venue for the community.

Earning LEED Gold status, the Power House is the recipient of more than 20 design awards, including both a Green Good Design Award and an International Architecture Award by the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Other accolades include being named one of the "World's Coolest Converted Office Spaces" by Inc. and Architizer magazines.

Thomas C. Bergman, AIA, LEED AP, who served as Project Principal on the Power House notes, "It's with deep appreciation of everyone's contributions that we celebrate this outstanding award."

Cannon Design is an Ideas Based Practice, ranked among the leading international firms in planning and design for healthcare, research, education, corporate, sports and government clients. At present, the firm employs a staff of over 1,000, delivering services in 17 offices throughout North America, as well as in Shanghai, China, and Mumbai, India.

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