Quinn Evans Projects Win AIA Richmond Design Awards

The Kitchens at Reynolds, Fairfield Area Library Win Awards for Architecture

AIA Richmond Recognizes Outstanding Design

Quinn Evans has announced that two new buildings in Richmond have been recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Richmond chapter with 2021 design awards. Church Hill North and the Kitchens at Reynolds, a mixed-use project featuring a culinary school, apartments, offices, and restaurant space, won an Honor Award. The Fairfield Area Library, a 44,800-square-foot public library building, received a Merit Award.

Set in an underserved east end community, the Church Hill North and the Kitchens at Reynolds project has revitalized a 1.8-acre site with a vibrant development that promotes job training and community wellness. Designed by the team of O’Neill McVoy Architects and Quinn Evans, the four-story, 50,000-square-foot building houses the culinary program of J.S. Reynolds Community College, with four teaching kitchens, space for a café/take-out restaurant and a second restaurant as part of the culinary program, a 78-seat demonstration theater, and a greenhouse that promotes sustainable urban gardening. The building also includes 12 affordable apartments and a separate restaurant space on the fourth floor.

A photo of the brightly lit building that is The Kitchens at Reynolds in contrast to the evening sky. — The Kitchens at Reynolds

The Church Hill North and the Kitchens at Reynolds project exemplifies the transformational nature of architecture,” says Charles Tilley, AIA, REFP, principal with Quinn Evans. “This building not only brings much-needed food service and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to the neighborhood, it serves as a community hub, bringing residents, students, and faculty together.

The Fairfield Area Library, which opened in late 2019, replaced an aging Henrico County library with a state-of-the-art LEED® Gold facility on a ten-acre site. Working closely with library administrators and community residents, the Quinn Evans team designed the building to appeal to all ages, with an emphasis on personal growth, the development of life skills, sustainability, resilience, and equity. Multi-functional spaces support a variety of learning styles, while outdoor program spaces emphasize connections to nature.

A photo of a variety of comfortable seating options inside the Fairfield Area Library, next to a large selection of books. — Fairfield Area Library

The Fairfield Area Library has become a centerpiece within the community,” says Charles Wray, AIA, LEED AP, NCIDQ, a principal with Quinn Evans. “The library was designed to serve the diverse needs of patrons, including families and caregivers. This is a building that clearly supports community aspirations, and is welcoming and accommodating to all.

AIA Richmond’s design awards recognize outstanding design, both built and unbuilt. Consideration is given to aesthetics, social impact, innovation, context, performance, and stewardship of the natural environment.