Princeton Architecture Firm Wins AIA Merit Award
The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has recognized ikon.5 Architects of Princeton with a merit award in the built open category in recognition of its work on The E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University.
ikon.5 Architects designed the project as a glass and steel academic village with the goal of expressing forward-thinking business education for the post-Katrina Gulf South. The design team constructed the building with contemporary materials including artistic, ceramic-coated mirror glass, and a bronze solar screen covering the project's rotunda. The courtyard plan and building forms are contextual, recalling the sloped roof pavilions and arcaded courtyards of the adjacent 89-year-old campus, while the innovative glass technology communicates a forward looking enterprise.
"The building is an exceptionally well-designed and unique architectural solution that will meet the educational demands of students entering rigorous business fields, and also allows for free-flowing, creative thought," said Kimberly Bunn, AIA, president of AIA-NJ. "ikon.5 demonstrated a high level of expertise in creating the design for this academic complex. Their work is clearly deserving of the merit award with which they were recognized, and the faculty and students of LSU will be the beneficiaries of this forward-looking design for years to come."
Located at Nicholson Drive Extension, Baton Rouge, Louisiana the building houses 167,000 square feet of state of the art academic facilities including 24 interactive tiered classrooms, 18 collaborative team rooms, a 300-seat auditorium and a mock trading room. Additionally, faculty and department offices surround the landscaped courtyard.
"We're extremely proud of this significant honor," said Joseph G. Tattoni, FAIA, Principal of ikon.5 Architects. "The university was looking for a building design that would align with its mission of generating innovation in business education for the southern part of the country. We managed to create a design that meets this vision, while paying homage to the campus's storied history."