Recognized the new Theatre Arts Building at Santa Monica College

http://santamonica-college.blogspot.comLos Angeles Business Council Recognizes Leo a Daly-designed Santa Monica College Theatre Arts Building for Design Excellence

The Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) recognized the new Theatre Arts Building at Santa Monica College with a Los Angeles Architectural Award during a ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. today. The project, which was designed by the Los Angeles office of international architecture, planning, engineering, interior design and project management firm LEO A DALY, was honored with The New Civic Building Award as part of LABC's 38th Annual Los Angeles Architecture Awards program.

"We are pleased to recognize LEO A DALY for their contribution to enhancing the world-class level of contemporary architecture in Los Angeles. It is the talent and creativity of their entire project team that makes development of this high quality and aesthetic appeal possible," stated Mary Leslie, President of the Los Angeles Business Council.

The bold, contemporary design of the 20,000 square-foot, $17 million building, which opened its doors in September 2006, is the new home of the college's award-winning performing arts program.

According to Vice President and Managing Principal of LEO A DALY's Los Angeles office, Brian A. Kite, AIA, "This is the third honor the project has received recently and we at LEO A DALY are especially thankful to Santa Monica College for having invited us to design such a notable structure for their campus."

Greg Brown, Director of Facilities and Planning with Santa Monica College noted that, "We are very excited to see this building recognized for its architectural excellence. Having facilities such as the new Theatre Arts Building that combine high-level design with an enriching learning environment is a key component of our college's long-term vision."

For Hraztan Zeitlian, AIA, LEED AP, Vice President and Director of Design for LEO A DALY's Los Angeles office, "This award is a major honor and reflects LEO A DALY's commitment to creating transformative, high-caliber building designs. Our projects always seek to positively impact the surrounding community, so it is especially meaningful to be singled out for creating a building that engages both students and the greater Los Angeles area."

The project has also been recognized by the Southern California Development Forum with a 2007 Community Enrichment Award, and a "Best of California 2007" award from California Construction magazine in the Southern California Performing Arts category. Replacing an overcrowded and aging fifty-year-old facility, the teaching facility has greatly expanded the teaching capabilities of the theatre arts department and reinforced the program's presence on campus. The building is one of the most recent additions to Santa Monica College's main campus, which has undergone an architectural renaissance in recent years.

Hosted by the Los Angeles Business Council, the 38th annual awards ceremony brought together world renowned architects, developers and contractors to acknowledge and celebrate the most laudable new projects in Los Angeles County.