Hugh A. Boyd Architects Receives Honor Award

The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has recognized Montclair, N.J.-based design firm Hugh A. Boyd Architects with an Honor Award in the Built Open category for its design of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The new market was developed by Grand Action, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the city’s downtown.
The 132,000-square-foot building is a three-level warehouse-style steel and metal structure with three rooftop greenhouses. Created with the goal of stimulating an underutilized industrial area, the market focuses on local food and encompasses all stages of food production, from distribution and marketing to education regarding the benefits of utilizing local produce.
The “farm-to-table” philosophy was applied to the design of the mixed-use building. The market includes a ground-floor market hall with twenty-four local vendors selling food ranging from baked goods to fresh seafood, an outdoor farmers’ market, dining terrace and microbrewery. The rooftop greenhouse doubles as an event space, and the market also contains incubator kitchens available to rent for startup businesses as well as an inventive demonstration kitchen for children.
“Our goal was to breathe new life into a previously underutilized part of Grand Rapids,” said Hugh A. Boyd, principal of Hugh A. Boyd Architects. “We designed a facility that allows Downtown Market to be a centerpiece for community growth while supporting local farmers. The rooftop greenhouse, market hall and communal gathering places are all components of a sustainable design that will benefit the Grand Rapids area by improving commerce and promoting agriculture.”
In addition to its innovative rooftop greenhouse, Downtown Market features geothermal wells and a rain garden. With its eco-friendly design, it was the first building of its kind to receive LEED Gold certification.
“Hugh A. Boyd Architects designed a structure that thoughtfully combines environmental sustainability with support for the local economy,” said Kimberly Bunn, President of AIA-NJ. “Their design creation provides a distinct, tangible service to the community, and the firm is most deserving of this Honor Award.”
About the AIA-NJ Annual Design Awards program
The AIA-NJ Annual Design Awards program recognizes architectural projects that exhibit design excellence in one of four categories: Open (meant for any building type), Residential, Historic Preservation and Interior Architecture. Projects are further designated as either Built or Un-built. To be eligible, projects must be either located in New Jersey or designed by an AIA-NJ architect. Submitted projects are evaluated during the organization’s annual Design Conference by a group of distinguished architects from throughout the country.
About AIA and AIA New Jersey
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and allied professionals. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architecture profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.