50th year for architecture awards

Three projects win top prizes in AIA program

By Roger Showley, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 8:59 a.m.

A quiet scenic overlook in Los Angeles County by a San Diego architect, a vibrant fashion and design college and a striking downtown housing project won top prizes at the 50th anniversary American Institute of Architects-San Diego design awards program Saturday night.

Held at the Neurosciences Institute in Torrey Pines Mesa, which AIA members declared as their favorite honor award in the past 50 years, the event showcased the best buildings by San Diego architects or San Diego buildings by outside architects as judged by three out-of-town architects.

Three honor awards went to: 

• Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City: A 57-acre urban state park that includes a 10,000-square-foot, three-building visitor center set in a restored natural landscape; cost, $7.9 million; Safdie Rabines Architects of San Diego.
• Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising: A 30,000-square-foot college on the third floor of Diamond View Tower, 350 10th Ave., in downtown’s East Village San Diego; cost not disclosed; Clive Wilkinson Architects of West Hollywood. 
• The Q: A 60,917-square-foot mixed-use project at 750 W. Fir St. in downtown’s Little Italy, featuring 27 apartments, the architect-developer’s residence and five retail spaces; cost $12 million; Jonathan Segal Architects.

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