The innovative work of Svigals + Partners, a New Haven-based architectural firm, was honored with two coveted industry awards in connection with the design of the John S. Martinez Elementary School.
The K-8 school which serves 600 students was one of only 10 educational facilities nationwide jointly commended by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the American Institute of Architects, and the Council of Educational Facility Planners International for design excellence. Similarly, it was one of only four schools recognized nationally by the Brick Industry Association with a 2007 Brick In Architecture Gold Award.
"We are pleased and proud to receive two such distinguished industry awards," said Barry Svigals, founder and managing partner, Svigals + Partners. "We are especially gratified to know our design affected the community so dramatically... aesthetically and functionally. It was extremely rewarding to work closely with teachers, school administrators, city officials and neighborhood residents to bring this project to fruition."
Since the school's completion in August 2004, a number of apartment buildings and homes in the surrounding area have been renovated, thereby confirming the notion that well-designed educational facilities help improve or restore a community's economic health.