Gainesville, Fla – Residents in the Gainesville area and the world-wide public at large can vote online for one of their favorite community buildings in the fifth annual People’s Choice Competition, launched on June 20 by the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Florida) and the Florida Foundation for Architecture. Voting is open now until July 20. The buildings on this year’s ballot were built in the past five years and contribute to the happiness and prosperity of Florida residents.
Representing AIA Gainesville’s region is the University of Florida Heart & Vascular Hospital by Flad Architects. Completed last year, the new hospital integrates cardiovascular and neuroscience medicine in one space. By providing inpatient and outpatient care at one location, the hospital can promote physician collaboration, efficiency and patient convenience.
“The People’s Choice Competition is a fun opportunity for the public to learn about architecture that impacts their community and voice their opinion by choosing their favorite,” said Cydney McGlothlin, AIA, President of AIA Gainesville. “The University of Florida Heart & Vascular Hospital illustrates architects’ dedication to serving people.”
A total of 39 buildings have been nominated in this year’s People’s Choice Competition. Submissions from across the state include for example, the Kate Tiedemann College of Business located in Tampa, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami and the Apollo 1 Memorial at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The buildings nominated shape Florida’s topography and create a distinct architectural style for which Florida is known.
Over the past four years, the popularity of the contest has grown exponentially, with last year’s contest garnering over 5.6 million votes from the United States and 21 other countries around the world. The 2017 winning building, the Call-Collins House at The Grove in Tallahassee was the home of two former Florida governors. Another top five building from last year’s competition was Miami’s historic Hampton House, a hotel that according to the historic Hampton House Community Trust website, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once rehearsed his famous “I Have a Dream Speech” at in 1960.
The public can vote for their favorite buildings online at www.floridapeopleschoice.com until 11:59 p.m. EST on July 20. Buildings will be listed by the structure’s name and city. The results of the voting will be announced at AIA Florida’s Annual Convention at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. on July 21.
“It is our honor and privilege as members of the architecture profession to share with the public how architecture has impacted the community” said Peter W. Jones, AIA, Chair of the Florida Foundation for Architecture. “The People’s Choice ballot is a unique and fun way for nonarchitects to judge design professionals. We look forward to the public crowning their favorite.”
For a complete list of nominated buildings, click here.
Selection Criteria: Each of AIA Florida’s 13 local chapters are eligible to nominate two structures. Additionally, projects submitted previously for a prestigious AIA Florida/Caribbean Design Award are considered. All buildings selected must have been built in the past five years, are public spaces located in Florida and not previously in the competition.
In addition to those projects that have been nominated for awards, you can also submit other “write-in” candidates here.
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The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, headquartered in Tallahassee, represents the interests of more than 3,600 members in Florida and the Caribbean. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public and colleagues of an AIA-member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.
The Florida Foundation for Architecture is a non-profit organization that exists to advocate the value of architecture to audiences beyond the profession. This is accomplished through Foundation events, publications and grants for programs that feature architecture and are open and available to the general public and related professions, as well as architects.
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