Gresham Smith is proud to announce that the firm was named one of the Top Emerging Professional Friendly Firms of 2023 by the American Institute of Architects Tennessee chapter (AIA Tennessee), a program that recognizes firms that consistently demonstrate dedication to the professional, personal and leadership development of their Emerging Professionals. Additionally, three Gresham Smith-designed projects—Kaiser Permanente Lutherville-Timonium Medical Center, HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, and The Columbus Metropolitan Library Hilltop Branch—were honored with Awards of Merit for their design excellence. Gresham Smith accepted the awards at the organization’s Design & Honor Awards Celebration on Thursday, August 3, in Memphis, Tennessee.
“At Gresham Smith, we believe the success of our projects stems from the success of our people, which is why we’re invested in helping our employees feel challenged and fulfilled professionally and personally,” said Director of Architectural Design Jeff Kuhnhenn, AIA. “Our award-winning projects are a testament to our design professionals’ deep understanding of client and community needs and commitment to developing creative solutions. I am proud of them for having received this recognition from their peers and look forward to the ways we will continue creating purposeful design solutions that create healthy and thriving communities.”
Understanding that emerging professionals (EPs) are critical to the vitality and growth of the architecture profession, Gresham Smith provides a variety of architecture-specific training and development programs for the more than 100 EPs at the firm. In addition to firmwide personal development and professional growth, Gresham Smith also provides opportunities for community and professional involvement. For the third year, the firm was recognized for its programs to support emerging architects, which include monthly Architect Registration Exam (ARE) mentor meetings, regular ARE study groups, and dedicated days for celebrating EPs who have obtained professional licensure.
Kaiser Permanente’s Lutherville-Timonium Medical Center is a 225,000-square-foot bed-less hospital located about 13 miles from downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The hospital design allows the campus to serve as a front door to the neighborhood, welcoming visitors and public transit commuters with murals, sculptures and artwork. The exterior design also embraces aspects of nearby communities, including the young, tech-oriented and transient community of Towson and historic, post-industrial Baltimore. LEED Gold Certified, a 40,000-square-foot photovoltaic array above the top floor of the garage generates clean energy, a green roof provides a positive distraction for patients in the oncology center, and vertical fins mitigate the western solar exposure of the clinic waiting rooms.
The HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is a first-of-its-kind facility dedicated to the surgical care and treatment for endocrine tumors and disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. The hospital’s modern exterior reflects the sophisticated, high-tech care patients can expect to receive inside and features wood-look metal panels, perforated metal screens and large expanses of windows. A glass canopy welcomes visitors into the main lobby, where the interior design was influenced by west Florida’s lush landscape and vibrant plant life. Florida’s sun, sand and blue skies, which is reflected in the space’s materials and finishes. For added comfort and convenience, patients can check in at the centralized registration desk and wait in one of the lounge areas, or visit the adjacent dining space and outdoor terrace.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Hilltop Branch is located in the heart of Hilltop, one of the largest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. Gresham Smith’s modernization provides CML’s Hilltop Branch with a safer and more engaging learning environment for children and young adults while expressing a strong message of inclusivity to the community. In stark contrast to the previous space’s low ceilings and dimly lit interiors, the new space features high ceilings and an abundance of natural light, as well as a variety of learning and social settings such as updated, larger meeting areas and private conference, quiet study rooms, an after-school help center and a career resource center.
AIA Tennessee’s annual Design Awards program honors work designed by chapter members and brings public attention to outstanding examples of architecture. With juries composed of highly-qualified professionals offering diverse perspectives and expertise, all submissions are reviewed in the context of the project team’s goals and evaluated for thoughtfully designed resolution of those goals.
