Congratulations to Columbus Metropolitan Library Driving Park Branch – winner of the 2015 James B. Recchie Award!
In a program at Smith Bros. Hardware, Columbus Landmarks Foundation announced the winner of the 2015 James B. Recchie Award. This was the 26th time the award has been given in honor of the late James B. Recchie, a founding trustee. The Columbus Metropolitan Library Driving Park Branch is located at 1442 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43205 and was designed by NBBJ.
“This building stands out in its mission to serve a neighborhood in Columbus where the library goes beyond the traditional image of the institution,” said Nancy Recchie, Historic Preservation Consultant with Benjamin D. Rickey & Co. and sister of the Award’s namesake. “The jury was impressed with the Driving Park Branch Library’s first year metrics: total visits increased 60%; circulation increased 200%; homework help center usage increased 110%; and community room usage increased 400%. All of this was accomplished with the creation of a warm, inviting, dynamic and safe environment. The quality of light, materials, spaces and uses underscore the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s commitment to the city and all residents,” she added.
The James B. Recchie Award honors excellence in urban design that can be reflected in historic or new buildings and places, additions to existing buildings, parks, public spaces and public art. The award celebrates projects that add to the distinctive character and improved quality of life of Columbus and the designers responsible for them. Following a public nomination process, five finalists were selected by a screening committee. Jurors then determined the winner after visiting the five finalists. The 2015 jurors were Marc Folk, Executive Director, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo; Timothy Hawk, FAIA, Principal, WSA Studio; and Cynthia Hunt, Architectural Historian and Consultant, clh & associates llc.
The four other finalists for the James B. Recchie Design Award were Cristo Rey Columbus High School, 400 E. Town St. Columbus, OH 43215, designed by Schooley Caldwell Associates and owned by Cristo Rey Columbus High School; Le Meridien The Joseph, The offices at the Joseph, & Pizzuti Collection, 620 N. High St., 639 N. High St. & 632 N. Park St. Columbus, OH 43215, designed by Arquitectonica, Lupton Rausch Associates, Glavan Feher Architects and Elness Swenson Graham Architects; Long Street Bridge and Cultural Wall, over I-71 between Hamilton & Jefferson, Columbus, OH 43215, designed by Burgess & Niple and MKSK Studios, artist design by Larry Winston Collins and Kojo Kamau, and owned by Ohio Department of Transportation & City of Columbus; and Stewart Alternative Elementary School, designed by Hardlines Design and Schooley Caldwell Architects, and owned by Columbus City Schools.
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