Floridians and the world-wide public at large can vote online for their favorite community buildings in the fifth annual People’s Choice Competition, launched by the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Florida) and the Florida Foundation for Architecture. Voting is open now until July 20. The buildings on the ballot this year were built in the past five years and contribute to the happiness and prosperity of Florida residents.
“People’s Choice is one of my favorite events of the year because it is a chance for architects to showcase their work through a selection of public projects,” says Tampa architect, Kim Headland, AIA, president of AIA Florida. “As architects, we strive to design buildings that provide communities with safe and welcoming environments. We look forward to seeing the public’s most cherished buildings and encourage everyone to vote!”
A total of 39 buildings have been nominated this year. Submissions from across the state include, for example, the Kate Tiedemann College of Business located in Tampa, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami, and the Apollo 1 Memorial at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The buildings nominated shape the topography of Florida and create an architectural style for which Florida is known.
Over the past four years, the popularity of the contest has grown, with the contest last year garnering over 5.6 million votes from the U.S. and 21 other countries around the world. The 2017 winning building, the Call-Collins House at The Grove in Tallahassee, was the home of two former Florida governors. Another top five building from the competition last year was the historic Hampton House in Miami, a hotel that according to the historic Hampton House Community Trust website, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once rehearsed his famous “I Have a Dream Speech” in 1960.??????
The public can vote for their favorite buildings online until 11:59 p.m. EST on July 20. Buildings will be listed by the name of the structure and city. The results of the voting will be announced at the AIA Florida Annual Convention at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. on July 21.
This yearly competition is sponsored by the Florida Foundation of Architecture. The foundation promotes the value of architecture to the public through programs like the People’s Choice Competition and Architecture in Education.
“It is our honor and privilege as members of the architecture profession to share with the public how architecture has impacted the community,” says Peter W. Jones, AIA, chair of the Florida Foundation for Architecture. “The People’s Choice ballot is a way for nonarchitects to judge design professionals. We look forward to the public crowning their favorite.”
For a list of nominated buildings, click here. For complete selection criteria, see below.
Selection Criteria: Each of AIA Florida’s 13 local chapters are eligible to nominate two structures and projects submitted previously for an AIA Florida/Caribbean Design Award are considered. The buildings must have been built in the past five years, are public spaces located in Florida and not previously in the competition.