We’ve been in our new building for over a year now, but we haven’t gotten over our enthusiasm for its great design. A panel of nationally renowned architects agreed and recently awarded Studio 4 Design, the firm responsible for the design of our building, both the Design Excellence Award and the People’s Choice Award (voted on by all the attendees at the event) at the The East Tennessee chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design Awards gala. The jury was held in Marfa, TX and included  Laura Lesniewski AIA, BNIM, Kansas City; David Murray AIA, BohlinCywinski Jackson, Philadelphia; Hugh Hochberg, The Coxe Group, Seattle; and Dennis Cursack AIA, SRG Partnership, Porland. The jury considered Functional Innovation, Community Asset and Context, Craftsmanship, Sustainability, and Clarity of Design Idea as they evaluated submissions and asked questions like, “Does the design significantly contribute to its neighborhood and surrounding community?” and “Does the execution demonstrate a thoughtful and appropriate use of materials and collaboration with construction team?”

We’re thrilled for Studio 4 Design (and our designer, Greg Terry, especially) to be honored and appreciated by national experts and local architectural peers. Studio 4 writes of our building (and the design challenge the co-op move presented to them), “Ultimately, nourishing healthier people is about creating a unique place where they feel welcomed, where they can add their own mark, and where they feel pride as a part of their community. In a sense, everyone shines in a way they couldn’t before.”

The judging criteria for the event, as described by the head juror prior to presenting the awards, was based on factors such as functionality, innovation, craftsmanship, sustainability and clarity of design idea.  Merit Awards were given to a project that had at least one of these qualities which stood out to the group; Honor Awards were given to a project which succeeded on multiple levels; and Excellence Awards (that’s us!) were given to a project which was successful in most, if not all categories.  The head juror described our building as the project that, upon thorough consideration, rose to the top for solving a very sensitive design issue (i.e. relocation and response to the Three Rivers Market philosophy), while being budget conscious and innovative in the process.  He said the jury felt it would be a wonderful experience to stand inside the building and take it all in.

And he’s right! It IS wonderful to be in our new store, not just because it’s an well-designed, beautiful, and energy efficient building, but also because of what it means for our community. It means we are a community where independent and local businesses can thrive. It’s a symbol of the fact that we’re stronger together.

– Katie Ries, Outreach and Marketing Director