Chambless King Architects projects honored with highest award by AIA Birmingham
On July 28, Chambless King Architects was honored by the Birmingham Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for two design projects. The awards were presented to Chambless King at the Chapter’s annual Design Award ceremony.
The Auburn University Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory and amphitheater at Sand Mountain Park renovation were both awarded the Honor Award. The award is the highest level of recognition that AIA bestows to firms for projects displaying exemplary design.
Auburn University Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory | Honor Award
The Auburn University Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory provides leading-edge testing and research facilities for civil engineering faculty and graduate students as they work to solve the nation’s growing infrastructure issues.
The facility’s simple building forms are clad in insulated metal panels with pattern created by varied panel widths. Perforated screens add a layer of detail and transparency to the facade while glazing provides daylighting and offers glimpses into the facility. CLT construction (the first at Auburn University) paired with heavy-timber columns and glulam beams within the office wing works in conjunction with the adjoining steel and concrete construction of the laboratory to exemplify multiple structural systems. Additional building systems are exposed throughout the facility to further serve as educational tools, including a displacement ventilation system accented in the high-bay lab and a rainwater storage tank placed in view from lab spaces and the rear courtyard.
Specialty components incorporated into the design include a “strong wall” and “strong floor” capable of handling extreme structural testing loads, a hydraulic pump system, and a geotechnical test pit. The project achieves LEED certification through rainwater management, water use reduction, and optimized energy performance, among other strategies.
Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater – Amphitheater | Honor Award
The Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater has been a vision of the City of Albertville for over 20 years. The primary goal of this 140-acre park is service to the community, but its economic viability is set to create an impact of over $120 million a year and generate labor income of $35 million annually. A significant driver of this impact is the 8,000-capacity amphitheater.
The amphitheater is a focal point of Sand Mountain Park. Centrally located between Alabama’s two largest city and three hours outside of Atlanta and Nashville, the amphitheater is perfectly positioned as a premier entertainment venue in the region. The showpiece facility is designed to host national entertainers, with state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, rear bus parking, and luxury green rooms. Guest amenities include lawn seating, concessions, dining areas, and restrooms. VIP guests can enjoy an elevated experience through a dedicated entry, VIP concessions and restrooms, and reserved seating.