OPN receives AIA Architecture Award
OPN Architects has been awarded a 2024 Architecture Honor Award by the American Institute of Architects for the design of Marion Fire Station No. 1.
Bestowed annually, the AIA Architecture Award is the most prestigious design award conferred by the country’s largest, most influential network of architects and design professionals. The award celebrates the best contemporary architecture regardless of budget, size, style, or type.
OPN Architects is now one of just three Iowa-based firms to win the AIA Architecture Honor Award since the award’s inception in 1949. In the last 85 years, only one other fire station has won the award.
Challenged by the City of Marion to design a station that would be a national benchmark for how biophilic design can reduce PTSD in fire fighters, the station reduces response time, establishes a strong and transparent civic presence, and supports fire fighters physical and mental wellness.
“While this project represents what’s possible when there is a pure vision for success, its real importance lies in the foundation it provides for future fire station design, and the continued focus on mental and physical well-being. We are humbled by this honor and hope to continue the dialogue on how a focus on fire fighters mental and physical health achieved through Biophilic Design Principles, can create a healthy building that will help enhance the lives of the fire fighters, reduce response times, and ultimately save lives.”
David Sorg, AIA, Design Principal of the Marion Fire Station No. 1
The Marion fire station has also been recognized with numerous international awards, including: the 2023 Stephen R. Kellert Biophilic Design Award, first place in the Public Building (Built) category from in the 2023 Rethinking The Future Awards, is the Government Building of the Year in the 2023 Archello Awards, and earned a Special Mention in the 2023 Architizer A+ Awards. It also received an Honor Award from the AIA Justice Facilities Review Award in 2023. It was the second fire station to win the award. The first was also designed by OPN Architects: Madison Fire Station No. 14 in 2020.
Other AIA local and regional chapter awards include: Excellence in Design, Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (2021), Excellence in Design, Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Central States Region (2022), Impact Award, Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (2023).
The fire station was featured in the March 2023 Issue of “Architectural Record,” and has been published in “Contemporary Architecture: Masterpieces around the World” (Braun, 2022). It was also featured in the second edition of Terrapin Bright Green’s “The Economics of Biophilia” (2024).