The winners of the 2016 Mayor’s Urban Design Awards, a recognition and celebration of projects that enhance Las Vegans' quality of life, were announced at a Las Vegas City Council meeting last week. The four winners were chosen based on their impact to the community, from promoting pedestrian safety to conserving resources to preserving historic buildings and places. And the winners are…
Bunnyfish Studios
Category: Building and Environment
The team behind Downtown’s Pioneer apartment complex won the building and environment category for its respectful remodel of the 1952 family-style bungalows at 222 S. 10th Street. Bunnyfish Studios project designer Yanina Umanzor says the goal was to mix mid-century, western heritage with a contemporary design, all while retaining the structural and aesthetic integrity of the ’50s. “We tried to embrace those two different styles into one building.” studiobunnyfish.com
Mary-Margaret Stratton and Carey Stratton
Category: Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
The married duo behind restoration and design company Futura House, the Strattons took a dilapidated 1954 home covered in graffiti and restored it to its “fifties glamour.” The project was dubbed the Pistachio Palms house for its mid-mod, pistachio ice cream colored exterior. In addition to a striking fresh coat of paint, the Strattons installed a lath house, vegetable garden, nut trees and more. futurahouse.com
Crestwood Elementary School Garden Committee
Category: Public Places
Crestwood Elementary’s outdoor garden classroom and mural project is a functional outdoor space with garden beds, compost, murals and water-preserving systems. The committee won the public spaces category for providing a space where children can learn about gardening, environmental issues, nutrition and more. Crestwood also launched its summer garden program in 2015, which allows students to learn about permaculture in a three-week curriculum.
Square Shooting
Category: Public Art
Jennifer Burkart and Ryan Reason, the duo behind Square Shooting, won the public art category for their In Focus: Downtown Architecture photo series. In Focus was on display at City Hall from September to November in 2015 and highlighted 25 architecturally significant buildings in Las Vegas, including notable spots like the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse and Holsum Lofts, formerly the Holsum Bread Factory.
