The K.C. Chapter of the American Institute of Architects on Nov. 15 "will unveil its first-ever award for sports architecture," according to Kevin Collison of the K.C. STAR. K.C. Mayor Sly James is "expected to hand out the honor at the AIA’s annual Design Excellence & Allied Arts & Craftsmanship Awards ceremony." K.C. has long been "a hub for sports architecture" with "some of the biggest names in the business," including Populous, which was formerly HOK Sports; HNTB Corp.; Ellerbe Becket, now part of AECOM; and 360 Architecture. Sports architect Paul Jorgensen, one of two jurors for the award this year, said, "This is the intergalactic headquarters of sports design." Jorgensen will be joined on the jury by St. Louis-based design firm Kiku Obata & Co. Founder Kiku Obata, whose company "provides retail and graphic design, signage and way-finding for sports projects around the nation." Seven projects "have been nominated for the first award," including BBVA Compass Stadium, designed by Populous; Barclays Center, AECOM; the Univ. of West Virginia basketball practice facility, AECOM; Cal's Memorial Stadium, HNTB; Jeld-Wen Field renovation, AECOM; Marlins Park, Populous; and the Univ. of Oregon's Matthew Knight Arena, AECOM. Generator Studio Principal Tom Proebstle "suggested the idea of honoring sports architecture to the AIA board last summer." He thought the award "would add some dazzle to the AIA's annual ceremony" (K.C. STAR, 11/6).
