PURPOSEFUL ARCHITECTURE PART OF AN AWARD WINNING PROJECT
December 19, 2018 – Purposeful Architecture—a studio within Purple Cherry Architects, that designs facilities for individuals with special needs—is pleased to announce that it teamed with Cho Benn Holback + Associates on the Pilot School project in Wilmington, Delaware that was awarded an Excellence in Design Award by AIA Maryland. The AIA Maryland Excellence in Design Award celebrates architects, building owners, contractors, and students for their outstanding achievements in architectural design and who work together to improve the built environment as well as for their role in shaping the quality of life through design excellence. Project photos are available upon request.
Pilot School Project Details
Purposeful Architecture provided special needs design architectural services, hired by the owner and worked with Cho Benn Holback & Associates, for design through construction administration of a new 80,000 sf K-8 private school located in Wilmington, DE, for children with learning challenges. Purposeful Architecture worked with the Administrators, Board of Directors, Staff and Parents to develop a full programming report of the school’s physical needs in order to accomplish the schools educational and social mission through purposeful design applications. The school’s design included optimal classrooms, multipurpose room, gymnasium, indoor pool, library, computer, science and language labs, outdoor classroom spaces, nurse’s station, meeting and conference rooms, recreation and leisure rooms, and administrative headquarters.
The Pilot School’s child-centered learning environment is focused on individualized therapeutic programs for children ages 5-14 experiencing language-based learning problems. With this in mind, their new facility overlooks the Brandywine Creek State Park, serving the school’s mission to connect students with nature to improve their academic performance and overall health. To reinforce the link between inside and outside, local natural elements are incorporated into the building itself through its landscape-inspired material palette and sustainable design features. This intimate, warm atmosphere includes a range of flexible spaces for art, music, and movement to engage all senses and support specific therapeutic learning goals.
About Purple Cherry Architects
Purple Cherry Architects is a full-service residential architecture firm located in Annapolis, MD, Charlottesville, VA and soon to be in Middleburg, VA, and specializes in custom luxury homes, estates, waterfront properties, and under the Purposeful Architecture studio, designs facilities for individuals with special needs. The firm also provides a full range of architectural services including programming and conceptual design, feasibility studies, master planning, interior design, and 3D visualization services. Purple Cherry Architects is the winner of the Designer’s Choice Award 2017/Home & Design Magazine, Best of Annapolis & West County 2018/Waterfront Architect, Best of Eastern Shore 2018/Architect & Waterfront Architect, Annapolis Home 2018 Design Excellence Awards/Historic Remodel, Traditional Architecture & Wine Cellar, as well as Best of Houzz 2015/2016/2017/2018 in the categories of Design and Customer Satisfaction. The firm was also a 2018 national finalist for HGTV’s Faces of Design Award in the Waterside Retreats Category.
