The City of Charlotte and the UNC Charlotte School of Architecture came together on Thursday to celebrate the city's architectural and urban design achievements at the Urban Design Awards. At the South End Studio, community members and Urban Design professionals recognized outstanding contributions across various categories that shape the Queen City's landscape.
During the ceremony, dubbed "The Urbies," industry peers gathered to not simply honor, but to fully appreciate the synergy of design, function, and community that recipients embodied. "I look forward to this event every year as an opportunity to celebrate achievements of the design community and elevate the conversation of what our neighborhoods can look like," Alyson Craig, director of the Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department, was quoted as saying in the City of Charlotte website.
The 30Six NoDa project was recognized for being a Great Development Near Transit, and Lockwood for creating a Great Walkable Neighborhood. The historic American Legion Memorial Stadium was praised for revitalizing an old structure, while The Green Uptown and Beatties Ford Road Corridor were honored for contributing to Great Public Space and Great Placemaking, respectively. Selwyn Avenue was noted as a Great Street, The Vantage for Great Urban Architecture, and The Bowl at Ballantyne for its innovative suburban design.
Contributions of up-and-coming designers were also acknowledged with the Great Student Project award going to Stitched at North Lake Vision Plan, while grassroots community efforts were celebrated through the recognition of CharlotteEAST as a Great Neighborhood Champion. Individual honors included Ely Portillo being named Great Urban Design Champion for their significant contributions to the field, and the TAOH Outdoor Gallery taking home the People’s Choice Award.