Orange Branch Library receives multiple Design Excellence Awards

The design of the new 33,600 sq. ft. Orange Branch of the Delaware County District Library recently received an "Honor Award" from the Columbus Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Lead juror Laura Hartman of San Francisco-based Fernau & Hartman Architects called the Library "warm and inviting, with very good daylighting strategies" and "while it's volume is a beacon of public space, its interior feels intimate for its size."

The AIA Columbus Chapter's Annual Design Awards Program recognizes excellence in architectural design by Columbus architects and those within the boundaries of the AIA Columbus Chapter. The program's purpose is to recognize the achievements for a broad range of architectural activity in order to elevate the general quality of architectural practice, establish a standard of excellence against which all architects can measure performance, inform the public of the breadth and value of architectural practice, and to honor the architects, clients, and consultants who work together to improve the built environment.

This award comes on the heels of several other design excellence awards including the AIA Northeast Illinois 2011 Excellence in Design Award, the Association of Licensed Architects 2011 Don Erickson Presidential Award and the 2011 Silver Medal Award.

While the design team - comprised of MKC Associates, Inc. teamed with Dewberry Architects, a nationally recognized library design consultant, is truly proud of the many accolades that have been bestowed upon the project, we recognize that thanks should also go to the entire project team...including the staff, administration and board members of the Delaware County District Library. We recognize that it takes true dedication from a cohesive team to achieve this level of recognition. Above all, this facility's success reflects our team's passion for excellence!