Landscapes and Open Spaces Award
“The delicacy with which these landscape architects executed their task is truly commendable. Their light touch and delicate restraint allow park visitors to create their own vision of the natural world. This is a truly enchanting place.”
2017 Design Excellence Awards Jury
Little Bennett Regional Park Day Use Area
Clarksburg, MD
The Little Bennett Regional Park devotes about 65 acres to welcoming visitors with an overview of the natural and cultural interpretive opportunities of the park. The site includes convertible picnic tables, environmental art made of bamboo, a meadow restoration and a bioretention area situated next to parking.
Project Team:
- Owner/Developer: Montgomery County Department of Parks | Park Development Division
- Landscape Architect, Site Engineer: A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc.
- Contractor: HMF Paving Contractors, Inc., Environmental Design and Construction, Capitol Flexi-Pave, LLC, Page Stonework and Landscape
- Tree Preservation: Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
- Environmental Sculpture: Mark Parsons, Hyattstown Mill Arts Project
- Furnishings: Jair Straschnow
- Photography: Roger Foley
Building and Sites Award
“The designers have given the community a tower of light that lets us know the hospital is there for us day and night. How could the most utilitarian part of a hospital campus become the most beautiful and elegant patient care facility? This project shows us how. It is an exemplary addition to our community.”[
2017 Design Excellence Awards Jury
Holy Cross Hospital
Silver Spring, MD
The jury praised this building for its architectural form, orchestrated entrance procession, organization of rooms and illuminated corner tower. They admired its “grace and beauty” and how it provides a new landmark for travelers on the Capital Beltway.
- Owner/Developer: Holy Cross Health
- Owner Representative: CBRE
- Architect: SmithGroupJJR
- Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
- Structural Engineer: McMullan and Associates, Inc.
- MEP Engineer: Leach Wallace Associates, Inc.
- Civil Engineer: Loiederman Soltesz Associates
- Photography: Maxwell MacKenzie; Judy Davis/Hoachlander Davis Photography
Director’s Legacy Award
Silver Theatre and Shopping Center
Silver Spring, MD
The Director’s Legacy Award for the Silver Theatre and Shopping Center in downtown Silver Spring was selected by Planning Director Gwen Wright to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. This award recognizes an exceptional, enduring and transformative building in Montgomery County that is more than 10 years old and has had a positive influence on the public and community.
The Silver Theatre, an important example of art deco cinema architecture, and adjacent shopping center were designed by architect John Eberson in the 1930s. They heralded the increasing stature of suburban Silver Spring within the DC area. Once threatened with demolition, the structures were added to Montgomery County’s Master Plan for Historic Preservation in 1994 and renovated to anchor Silver Spring’s revitalized downtown. The theater, now run by the American Film Institute, and shopping center continue to draw people from all over the region.