Each year, Columbus Landmarks honors excellence in urban design through the James B. Recchie Design Award.
The Award is made in honor of the late James B. Recchie, a founding trustee of the organization. Each year, finalists are chosen that exemplify the best in design and which represent projects that add to Columbus’ distinctive charger and improved quality of life.
In addition to highlighting the building or site, the designers responsible for them are also honored. The 2021 Recchie Award winner was Lower.com Field, new home of the Columbus Crew.
The Recchie Awards are open both to new designs and also for preservation-focused projects, and historically adaptive reuse or restoration efforts have been strongly represented on the list of finalists and, often, for the actual award winner.
Case in point – Columbus Landmarks has just announced the 2022 List of Recchie Award finalists and the following preservation-focused projects were included:
Budd Dairy – 1086 N. 4th St. – Located in Italian Village, the adaptive reuse of the historic Budd Dairy building includes 14,000+ square feet of mixed-use interior space plus a covered rooftop deck and adjacent parking. The open-concept main floor serves as Budd Dairy Food Hall, featuring multiple food vendors, public seating, a U-shaped bar, and a live entertainment stage. The Budd Dairy redevelopment also includes office space, a bar, and a rooftop terrace with a 360-degree view of the neighborhood.
Mirror Lake District – The Ohio State University Campus – Few OSU campus locations are as iconic or rich in history and tradition as Mirror Lake. The renovation of the lake began with a commitment to student safety, sustainability, operations, and aesthetics. The result is a major upgrade that created respite spaces; improved views; places for study and gathering; a grotto fountain; extensive natural landscaping and an improved pathway network that knits together the adjacent buildings and open spaces to create a unified campus destination.
Municipal Light Plant – 577-578 West Nationwide Blvd. – After decades of vacancy, the derelict Columbus Division of Electricity Municipal Power Plant has been preserved and transformed into a new use. Even before construction could begin over 2,000 tons of material had to be removed from the site. High quality materials were used throughout and iconic features such as the hoppers, hopper doors, interior cranes, rail tracks and the tall smokestack have been preserved. This project demonstrates how even the most derelict industrial building can be brought back to life.
Open Air School – 2571 Neil Avenue – The Open Air School, designed by noted Columbus architect Howard Dwight Smith, was sold by the Columbus City Schools after it was declared surplus. The early 20th century building and its mid-20th century addition have been turned into a popular mixed-use project that houses Emmett’s Café, Understory Bar and Lounge, special event space and a pottery studio. The project preserved the character of the building; established a strong connection to the Olentangy Trail; created vibrant outdoor terraces; and has become an important destination in the north campus neighborhood.
Also included on the list was The Franklinton Slingshot, a new piece of public art located at the corner of Sullivant Ave. and Lucas Street.
Source: Columbus Landmarks; Photo: Creative Commons License and Creative Commons License
