For Immediate Release: August 8, 2007
HGA Architects and Engineers Wins AIA Minnesota 25-Year Award for Colonial Church of Edina
Minneapolis, MN - HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) has won the AIA Minnesota 25-Year Award for the Colonial Church of Edina. Inspired by historic New England Meetinghouses, the Colonial Church was cited for its "iconic" presence that has become a Twin Cities landmark since its completion in suburban Minneapolis in 1979.
"The Colonial Church of Edina is beautifully set and draws inspiration from the outside," said the jurors, who noted that the church "is still as relevant today as it was when it was built."
The interconnected buildings on a 23-acre landscaped site of ponds and meadows was designed by team principal Richard F. Hammel, one of HGA's three founders, and lead project designer Theodore Butler, a nationally recognized liturgical architect who was among HGA's early design leaders. Taking cues from the Congregationalist church's New England heritage, the design team immersed itself in the history of New England's early Meetinghouses and community heritage, promising the congregation a church "as the Pilgrims would build it if they were alive today."
HGA designed a village-like cluster of buildings surrounding a commons to include a 1,000-seat Meetinghouse, Sunday-school building and youth center, administrative building, and other support functions, according to a master plan developed by the architects. The bell tower, gabled roof, double-hung windows, white trim, and clapboard siding recalled an earlier architectural era in a building complex that perfectly served its modern program and function. A seamless 1988 addition by HGA continued the architectural character of the original buildings while nearly doubling the space, allowing the congregation to expand its programs and services.
"The 25-Year Award is a great honor that recognizes the Colonial Church's lasting architectural legacy in the Twin Cities," says Gary A. Reetz, vice president and principal with HGA. "The design of the complex has enabled the church to continue to serve its congregation and expand its community outreach over the past three decades."
The Colonial Church drew extensive critical praise when it was completed in the late 1970s. Time magazine and U.S. News %26 World Report lauded the church for its modern interpretation of a historic style, an innovative design approach in the 1970s that is commonly employed today. The church won a national AIA Honor Award for Architecture in 1980, as well as a Wood Design Honor Award from Wood Design %26 Building magazine.
Sponsored by AIA Minnesota, a society of the American Institute of Architects, the 25-Year Award program recognizes architecturally significant buildings that are between 25 to 50 years old. The award jurors consisted of Tom Meyer, principal with Meyer, Scherer %26 Rockcastle, Minneapolis; James Dayton, principal with James Dayton Design, Ltd., Minneapolis; and Marc Swackhamer, faculty, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
This is the fourth AIA Minnesota 25-Year Award HGA has won.
:: View Colonial Church of Edina
HGA Contact: Julie Luers (612) 758-4000 e-mail JLuers@hga.com
Media Contact: Susan Evans, Evans Larson (612) 338-6999 e-mail susan@evanslarson.com