Amway Center Wins 2011 American Institute of Architects Orlando Honor Award

April 11, 2011

The Orlando Magic’s Amway Center was recognized as one of Orlando’s best new works of architecture with an Honor Award at the 2011 Awards for Design Excellence Gala hosted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Orlando Chapter.

“With great team work and vision the Amway Center was designed to reflect the character of the community, meet the goals of the users and build on the legacy of sports and entertainment in Orlando,” said Alex Martins, President, Orlando Magic.“We are proud of our community’s new home and the imagination used to open North America’s finest facility.”

Amway Center opened on Oct. 10, 2010 and is the result of a shared vision between the city of Orlando, Orange County, the Orlando Magic and local businesses. The project’s architectural design was brought to life by design architect Populous and associate architects C.T.Hsu +Associates and Baker Barrios Architects.

“First and foremost, we design these buildings for the fans who will experience them,” said Brad Clark, Populous principal. “But to be recognized with a design award makes what we’ve done in Orlando even more special.”

“We are very proud to see the Amway Center project recognized by our peers with this prestigious award. It will serve our community well for generations,” said C.T. Hsu, FAIA, President of C.T. Hsu + Associates, P.A.

“From the very beginning, we knew the new Amway Center would be an iconic cornerstone of our city and community,” said Tim Baker, Baker Barrios Architects, Inc. principal. “This acknowledgment confirms that expectation, and we are very grateful for such significant recognition.”

The Orlando AIA awards bring public awareness to outstanding architectural design and recognizes those architects whose work enriches the Orlando environment. Submissions were judged solely on the basis of their value toward furthering design excellence.

 

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About the Amway Center
 

The new 875,000 square foot Amway Center includes approximately 18,500 seats and a variety of suite types as well as restaurants, concessions, bars, locker rooms, dressing rooms, ticket facilities and retail spaces. The building’s exterior used a modern blend of glass, precast and metal materials, and features a 20,000 square foot glass entrance atrium facing Church Street; a 10,000 square foot outdoor balcony and a massive LED facade with ever-changing graphics. The LEED Gold certified facility features a sustainable, environmentally-friendly design and unmatched technology, featuring 1,100 digital monitors, the tallest high-definition videoboard in an NBA venue and multiple premium amenities available to all patrons in the building.

 

About Populous

Since inception in 1983, Populous has grown into the world’s leading design firm dedicated exclusively to creating environments that draw people and communities together for unforgettable experiences. The firm has completed more than 1,000 projects around the globe with construction value exceeding $20 billion. Populous has worked with 24 Major League Baseball franchises, 30 NFL franchises, 80 professional and civic arena clients, 40 global soccer and rugby teams, 120 universities, 40 convention center clients, 29 equestrian clients and has planned more than 30 major worldwide events.

Our portfolio includes such icons as Yankee Stadium in New York; the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games main stadium; Nanjing Sports Park in China; ANZ Stadium in Australia; Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona; the new University of Minnesota football stadium and event planning for the Super Bowl and Major League Baseball All Star Game. We have received nearly 200 design awards for our work, including three national American Institute of Architect awards and countless global design awards. In addition, in 2009 and in 2010, Populous was named one of Fast Company magazine’s most innovative companies in sports and was also named the American Institute of Architects – Kansas City Chapter Firm of the Year. As Populous, we enthusiastically embrace the expertise we uniquely claim – drawing people together around teams, athletes, events, places, commerce, industry and ideas they wholeheartedly embrace and adore.

ABOUT C.T.Hsu + Associates

C.T. Hsu + Associates is an award-winning architectural planning and design firm recognized as a past “Firm of the Year” winner by the American Institute of Architects – Florida Association. The Orlando, FL-based firm focuses on a mix of projects in the education, government, transportation and mixed-use development sectors. Its multidisciplinary approach ranges from urban planning and design to architecture and interiors.

ABOUT Baker Barrios Architects

Established in 1993, Baker Barrios Architects’ award-winning global perspectives on planning, landscape, architecture and interior design services deliver economical, sustainable, community enriching design solutions. Baker Barrios is widely recognized for creating world-class cultural arts venues, convention centers, health care facilities, universities, commercial and mixed-use developments.

For further information please contact:
Gina Stingley at Populous
Telephone: 816 221 1500
Email media@populous.com

Joel Glass at the Orlando Magic
Telephone: 407 916 2635
Email jglass@orlandomagic.com

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