Jackson Free Press

Jackson, MS, July 19, 2012 -- Jackson architectural firm Duvall Decker Architects, P.A. took home three design awards given by the Mississippi chapter of American Institute of Architects (AIA) during the AIA Mississippi annual convention in Sandestin, FL.

The AIA Mississippi jury was led by architect Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, principal of Marlon Blackwell Architect, a nationally renowned practice based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Jury awarded one citation, two merit, and two honor awards from numerous entries across the state.

The recently completed Jobie L. Martin Classroom Building at Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi, received the AIA Mississippi Honor Award, as well as the Sambo Mockbee Membership Award, which is awarded by a vote of AIA Mississippi membership. The 18,800 sf laboratory and classroom building on the Academic Technical Center campus of Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi was designed to accommodate campus growth, and be economical, durable, energy-efficient and functional. It includes six standard classrooms, biology and chemistry laboratories, faculty offices, and study areas.

Juror's comments: "Beautifully resolved plan • Shows what can happen with subtle articulation of plan. The program is not exaggerated • Highly energy efficient without looking like it is a machine • Demonstrates careful organization programmatically and responsive to environmental concerns • Plan has been transformed to two radically different elevations that are in complete harmony • Absolute recognition of Western exposure • The Elevation compositions relate to the East/West orientation • Nice lapping of public/semi-private spaces • Relates to energy issues as well as program • Restraint in material palette that support the simple forms • Subtle animation from plan to detail • Architecture is #1 • Work at its highest level."

The Oak Ridge House was also recognized with an AIA Mississippi Honor Award. This private residence was designed to meet individual needs while encouraging the family to be together, to take advantage of Mississippi's wonderful environment, to interact with friends and family, to have a private respite, to work at home, to be healthy, and to be energy efficient. This single family, three bedroom home, with open living/dining space and detached screen porch and pool, is shaped to draw the outdoors in and lure the family outside. The design comfortably accommodates daily living patterns and is durable and ecologically sensitive.

Juror's comments: "The design really develops a sense of external/internal spaces at the entrance into house ...with a carport not garage, the plan included the carport as an exterior space • Exterior is composed of two courtyard spaces—one more public, defined by the major public spaces and the private wing, and the other, more private, by the carport and the private wing • Beautiful detailing with varied material palette speaks to permanency. This house will age gracefully • Very exuberant materially • The corner kitchen window and kitchen mediate public/private zones of house • Two main volumes of home are clearly articulated exterior and interior • Pool is the edge of courtyard...as well as spatially central to the total composition • Rich and complex • Mastery of control and restraint."

Also honored with awards this year were Gulf Coast Community Design Center, Eley Guild Hardy Architects, and Unabridged Architecture.

Duvall Decker Architects is located at 2915 N. State St. For information, contact Roy Decker at 601-713-1128 or visit duvalldecker.com.