RESTON, Va. – The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) is pleased to announce the following top Professional Project Award (PPA) winners for 2023:

• Best Overall Project (greater than $100 million) – Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters, Shenzhen P.R. China, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
• Best Overall Project (less than $100 million) - Marlboro Music Reich Hall, Marlboro, VT, HGA
• Most Innovative Project (greater than $100 million) - Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters, Shenzhen P.R. China, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
• Most Innovative Project (less than $100 million) - 80 M Street, Washington, D.C., James G. Davis Construction

The Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters defines excellence for sustainable design by incorporating a column-free externalized structure, naturally ventilated atria, and an integrated blend of design and engineering solutions. Emphasizing dialogue between technology and nature throughout the building, this solar-responsive, “breathing” building centers on sustainability and wellness. The Marlboro Music Reich Hall blends sustainability and environmental stewardship through simplicity, inspired by a Cape Cod cottage, using local materials and incorporating carbon-reducing and energy-efficient wood walls and interior finishes. The 80 M Street project is the very first mass timber project in Washington, D.C. Mass timber supports striking design and comfortable spaces, and the environmentally friendly advantages generate long-term returns for the entire construction value chain, from owners to surrounding communities.

AEI announced the project winners during its in-person annual Awards Banquet in Denver, Colorado.

The AEI Professional Project Award recognizes outstanding achievements in design and construction by honoring the art and science of an integrated approach to architectural engineering. The program focuses on high performance buildings including structural, mechanical, electrical and lighting systems as well as construction management and methods, and architectural engineering integration. Projects are evaluated on originality and innovative character, integration and collaboration, sustainability, energy efficiency and economics, effective use of technology and constructability and site logistics.

“It’s an exciting time to be in the high-performance building industry, and these awards represent some of the best and brightest from across the globe,” said Nicholas A. Piteo, P.E., chair, AEI Professional Project Awards. “All of the submissions showcase the tremendous technical ability, creativity and dedication of the talented professionals working together to evolve the design and construction of our built world in beautiful and functional ways to make it more resilient, adaptable, and sustainable.”

The Best Overall Project and Most Innovative Project greater than $100 million Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters, submitted by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP, was also given Awards of Excellence in Architectural Engineering Integration and Structural Systems Design. In addition to winning the award for Most Innovative Project award (under $100 million), 80 M Street by James G. Davis Construction won the Award of Excellence for the Construction Management and Methods category, the Renovation category, and the Architectural Engineering Integration category. For a full list of winners, please visit www.aeippa.org/.

PPA submissions were reviewed by a committee of jurors including distinguished members of the design and construction industry and representatives from AEI’s Board of Governors and Academic Council.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation’s infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency. For more information, visit www.asce.org and follow us on Twitter, @ASCETweets and @ASCEGovRel.

About ASCE’s Architectural Engineering Institute

Established in 1998, AEI is the premier organization for architectural engineering, promoting an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to planning, design, construction and operation of buildings, by encouraging innovation, collaboration and excellence in practice, education and research of architectural engineering.  For more information, visit www.asce.org/aei.

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