Project name: Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University
Project location: Washington, DC
Firm name: Payette
Jury comments: The strategy for this global center for public health is driven by context, scale, and the desire to create a powerful vehicle for communicating sustainable design intent. Unbelievably well-crafted, the exterior is derived from science and not just an architect’s aesthetic. It is highly commendable, performance-based design. The systems express their own beauty, strength, and quality. Most successful are the climate-responsive façades. The exterior is overall a remarkable achievement—it’s difficult to do a large office building and give it gravitas. Less compelling is the interior, but the palette is handsome, with a particularly attractive use of wood and concrete. The lobby in particular feels derivative through well-executed, and the choice of carpet and flooring is questionable.
