3 Pleasant Street
Honor Award // Excellence in Architectural Design, Rick & Duffy Monahon Award
Architect // JSA Design
GC // McNabb Properties
Civil Engineer // Ambit Engineering
Structural Engineer // JSN Associates
MEP Engineer // Petersen Engineering
MEP Engineer // WV Engineering
Landscape Architect // Woodburn & Company
Jury Comments
3 Pleasant street is a crafted example of restoration and re-invention existing successfully side by side. The existing masonry building was restored with exacting standards. The jury felt the new rooftop addition was conceived in a wonderful way by both being set back from historic building facades and being crafted in a contrasting, but complimentary form. New and old exist in a sympathetic way. The addition is in no way distracting to the historic bank’s facade; in fact, the jury found the addition’s round form to enhance the more stoic, square base building form.
The project did not stop at the building - the project successfully created spaces between it and the adjacent buildings. The jury found the images of bistro tables, adjacent restored arched top windows and the brick clad facade to be compelling - a place was created where the jury would like to share a meal. By saving the existing vault and creating a wine cellar within, the architect showed a great deal of sensitivity and ingenuity. The jury believes this will be a well-loved building and does what the architects set out to do: create a dynamic sense of place in downtown Portsmouth.
Description
3 Pleasant Street is an adaptive reuse building that comprises the first phase of Brick Market, a mixed-use project designed by JSA Design for developer McNabb Properties in downtown Portsmouth. The 23,992-square-foot red brick building dates back to 1794 and features three floors and a fourth-floor, copper-topped ellipse with roof decks overlooking North Church and Market Square. Formerly a bank, the high-ceilinged street-level space now houses a restaurant. Architecturally preserved features include large arch-top windows throughout the first level and a bank vault transformed into a wine cellar. Upper floors are now modern office spaces, many with exposed wood-veneer beams and high ceilings. Unobtrusive photovoltaic solar panels on the roof offset the building’s energy use and blend in with surrounding architecture, leaving the dramatic views unimpeded. Original copper-clad window sills and frames were retained and restored. Second and third floor windows feature brick returns and soldier headers with limestone keystones
Mid-Coast School of Technology
Honor Award // Excellence in Architectural Design, Commercial
Architect // Lavallee Brensinger Architects
GC // Sheridan Construction
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing // Allied Engineering
Structural Engineer // Becker Structural Engineers
Civil Engineer // Gartley & Dorsky Engineering and Surveying
Landscape Architect // Sebago Technics
Jury Comments
Joy. Through the use of color, playful materials, murals, and the creative use of objects such as shipping containers, a complicated project is brought to life. Solar tubes, geothermal systems, whole building metering, and photovoltaics are seamlessly integrated into the ensemble. The building was successful in acquiring Efficiency Maine Certification. The jury was struck by the number of client voices the project appeared to successfully integrate. From the architect’s project description:
“Serving 6 regional high schools, the school’s vision included serving middle school, high school and community college initiatives and operating as a local industry training center.
With over 17 programs offering advanced educational opportunities and skills to more than 300 students, 800 adult learners, and local industry members, the visioning process involved designing program solutions for multiple academic standards and community college program requirements.”
The jury fully appreciates and was impressed by the consensus created and required to support the project cost with local funding. This project synthesized many programs for many different building users all the while providing joyous experiences throughout.
Description
Mid-Coast School of Technology created a state-of-the-art career and technical education facility that provides access to 21st century education to high school and higher education students. The programs offered are supported by the local industry and allow for true community involvement. The school is designed to put education on display.
Synergy East
Honor Award // Excellence in Architectural Design, Commercial
Architect // Lavallee Brensinger Architects
GC // PC Construction
Civil Engineer // Woodard and Curan
Structural Engineer // Souza True and Partners
MEPFP // Brad, Rao + Athanas Consulting
Landscape Architect // Ground Inc.
Food Service Consultant // Cavenaugh Tocci
Lighting Design // Greg Day Lighting
Exterior Envelope // Simpson Gumpertz
Daylighting // Thorton Tomasetti
Jury Comments
The jury found the architect was successful at fulfilling the client’s mission of “enhancing the health and well-being of pets, people, and livestock.” This is a complex building with complicated systems and programs - the jury applauds the ambition of the client and the command of the architect to achieve LEED V4 Gold certification, the first building to do so in Maine. The exterior of the building does not articulate “sustainable building” and that was viewed as a positive by the jury. From the project description:
“the roofs work triple-time, harvesting rainwater as well as producing renewable energy (earning LEED Exemplary Performance for both strategies). Native plants reduce irrigation needs while strengthening the project’s connection to local ecosystems. A subtle variegation of cladding sizes and colors evoke the local landscape (and seascape) forms. The high-efficiency envelope and systems meet the AIA 2030 Challenge toward carbon neutrality. The embodied carbon of the materials used, as assessed by a Whole-building Life-Cycle Impact Model, was also reported for this challenge.”
Not lost on the jury was the considerable work put forth with the interiors of this project. A large building was successfully broken down into small human scaled spaces and structures - conducive for breakout conversation or individual work. Details such as floor patterns peeking out from within glass walled conference rooms inspired the jury by giving a sense of surprise. The jury remarked it was a pleasure to review this thorough and complete submission - the building gets the jury’s highest marks.
Description
Synergy East is IDEXX Laboratories’ latest addition to their Westbrook campus. This 132,000 GSF expansion embodies the company’s mission of “enhancing the health and well-being of pets, people, and livestock” by prioritizing employee wellness and using natural resources responsibly. The project achieved LEED V4 Gold certification, a first in Maine. Inside, the dynamic, inclusive, highly functional spaces inspire employees to collaborate and think creatively. Enormous light wells bring daylight deep into the core, and innovative glass technology provides exceptional daylighting and glare-free views to all employees throughout the workday. Low-emitting, low-maintenance, high-durability, acoustically-sound, highly-flexible finishes and furniture fill out an interior inspired by the work done within. Outside, the roofs work triple-time, harvesting rainwater and producing renewable energy. The high-performance walls have cladding with subtle variegation to evoke the local ecology. Native plants reduce irrigation needs while strengthening the project’s connection to local ecosystems.
