Gresham Smith is proud to announce that two projects were honored at the 2023 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Middle TN Design Awards on October 19. The Columbus Metropolitan Library Hilltop Branch was honored with the Award of Merit for exceptional design quality and performance and HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital for Endocrine Surgery received a Citation Award.
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.
The AIA Middle TN Design Awards Program strives to recognize, publicize, and celebrate projects that represent the best of Middle Tennessee architecture; projects that are exemplary for their thoughtful, sustainable, innovative, and well-crafted design. 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.