Championing Visionaries: AIA California’s 2023 Urban Design Awards Acknowledge Firms and Students

In a dynamic world where urban landscapes are in constant flux, the 2023 Urban Design Awards, presented by AIA California, stand as a beacon of innovation and inspiration. With an unwavering commitment to architectural excellence and urban design advancement, AIA California continues spotlighting projects that usher in progressive changes in urban aesthetics, sustainability, and architectural ingenuity. The 2023 Urban Design Awards have once again brought to the forefront projects that epitomize the transformative power of architectural and landscape design.

AIA California President Scott Gaudineer, a dedicated member since his days as a student, expressed his admiration for this year’s student category. He remarked, “The caliber of work by the awarded students demonstrates the validity and vitality of creating this category. These student-designed projects address contemporary urban design challenges with solutions offering the quality and complexity required to realize their thoughtful ideas.”

Celebrating Excellence in Urban Design: A Look at the 2023 Urban Design Awards

The heart of the matter lies in the projects recognized for their exceptional contributions to our physical environment’s creation, enhancement, and sustainability. Architects and landscape architects have poured their creativity into these projects, as evidenced by their master planning, landscape architecture, and conceptual architectural designs. The 2023 Urban Design Awards honor completed projects that have redefined urban spaces and introduced a new dimension with the inaugural Student category.
The spotlight shines brightly on the student category winners, where three remarkable projects have emerged victorious. It’s a testament to the vibrancy of the architectural field that 50 architecture students and recent graduates eagerly participated in the competition, showcasing their innovative visions for the urban landscapes of tomorrow.

Now, let’s delve into the outstanding projects that have clinched the 2023 Urban Design Awards, where “Honor” signifies the pinnacle of achievement.

A) Honor

1) San Francisco Civic Center Public Realm Plan l CMG Landscape Architects with Kennerly Architecture & Planning

(San Francisco, California)

A visionary project that transcends the present, this unbuilt endeavor charts a course toward the future. The San Francisco Civic Center Public Realm Plan presents a harmonious marriage of nature and urban context in a city grappling with monumental challenges. It’s a delicate equilibrium, balancing an “active” park and a “ceremonial” one. The project’s thoughtful scale caters to the city’s monumental heart while catering to the community’s daily needs.

2) Township Commons l Einwiller Kuehl Landscape (Oakland, California)

An ode to the industrial legacy of its site, Township Commons is a built marvel that breathes new life into an Oakland area hungry for an excellent public realm. It’s a project that marries clarity with historical resonance. The architect’s reasonable preservation of the site’s past elements lends the project a sense of depth and history. The urban design gestures are profound yet executed with a delicate touch, a rarity that speaks volumes.

B) Merit

1) Hensley Field Masterplan l Grimshaw and Studio-MLA (Dallas, Texas)

A metamorphic proposal that envisions a novel urban community arising from the canvas of a former airfield. The Hensley Field Masterplan’s core districts are distinct and dynamic, each boasting its unique character. This transformation is a testament to the power of landscape manipulation, where vestiges of an airfield evolve into a sustainable urban oasis. Sustainability reigns supreme here, as patterns and uses dance harmoniously, underscoring a profound commitment to holistic design.

2) Monterey Conference Center Portola Plaza l GLS Landscape | Architecture with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (Monterey, California)

In Monterey, the Conference Center addition is a transparent backdrop to an inviting public realm. The project is a delicate choreography of spaces that favor pedestrians as much as vehicular traffic. It defies convention by crafting an environment where flexibility thrives alongside centered composition. Illumination, landscaping, and artistic ground treatments combine in a symphony of design that leaves a lasting impression.

C) Student Awards (Honor)

1) The Diversity Plaza to The Jackson Heights Place (Queens, New York)

**Frank Wen Yao (University of California, Berkeley – for identification purposes only, student projects were submitted by individuals, not schools)
Frank Wen Yao’s project, hailing from the University of California, Berkeley, captivates with its complexity and potential. The project’s brilliance lies in its approach and concept, which ingeniously expand public spaces over time. A compact site becomes a canvas for active public engagement, while the proposal’s innovative energy generation from the overhead rail system adds an extra layer of intrigue.

D) Student Awards (Merit)

1) Logistics Community Hub in California High-Speed Railway (Central Valley, California)

**Vishesh Naresh Khetwani & Daisy Porras (California College of the Arts – for identification purposes only, student projects were submitted by individuals, not schools)
Vishesh Naresh Khetwani & Daisy Porras, students from the California College of the Arts, present a solution to a pervasive urban challenge—fragmented public spaces. Their project deftly weaves public realms and transportation networks together, creating a persuasive discourse on the intersection of architecture and transportation. Leveraging rail for enhanced logistical efficiency, the project is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between urban functions.

2) Fluicity (Pasadena, California)

**Austin Nguyen (University of Southern California – for identification purposes only, student projects were submitted by individuals, not schools)
From the University of Southern California emerges Austin Nguyen’s Fluicity, a bold intervention that redefines urban design within existing road networks. It’s an ingenious solution to a typical urban woe—how to rejuvenate underutilized spaces. Nguyen’s project speaks to this challenge by breathing new life into the urban “underbelly,” showcasing a fresh design language that seamlessly integrates with the existing fabric.

A distinguished panel of jurors evaluated and selected these remarkable projects for the 2023 AIA California Urban Design Awards. The jury included luminaries in the field: David Gamble FAIA of Gamble Associates, Keith McPeters of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd, Gwynne Pugh AIA of Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Maria Ogrydziak AIA of Maria Ogrydziak Architecture, and Steve Wilson AIA of Gensler. Their discerning eyes recognized not only the aesthetic excellence of the projects but also their profound impact on the urban landscape.
The 2023 Urban Design Awards not only celebrate architectural innovation but also offer a glimpse into the future of urban living. As we navigate the complexities of urbanization and sustainability, these projects stand as beacons of hope, showing us the remarkable potential of human ingenuity in shaping the world around us. With each award bestowed, we honor the tireless efforts of architects, landscape architects, and students who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in urban design.