The Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building Has Won "Building of the Year" (2018 Contest was sponsored by World-Architects, a prestigious architecture group).
The recently-opened Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building, a state-of the-art building at the University of Miami School of Architecture, designed by Arquitectonica and built by Coastal Construction, has won the title of 2018 Building of the Year by World-Architects, a prestigious worldwide network of architects and building professionals.
The building, which received much attention in the media since its completion, bested 42 other buildings in the United States, and will be featured in the World-Architects website and newsletter for the month of February.
"The enthusiastic reception worldwide is a great validation of the tremendous effort and care invested by all in the project—the university, donors, architects, and builders," said Dean of the School of Architecture Rodolphe "Rudy" El-Khoury. "We were thrilled to see the building on the list of 43 nominees; to learn now that it actually won the highest distinction of "Building of the Year" is just amazing. It says loud and clear that at the U, we are doing it right!"
Tom Murphy, Jr. Chairman and CEO of Coastal Construction was the lead donor for the Studio, named in memory of his father, was ecstatic about the accolade. “My father was my mentor and best friend. He taught me the importance of family and values I have are a result of watching him lead by example. This year I am celebrating my 50th year in business and can’t think of a more fitting tribute than to see this build name in his honor, recognized as the 2018 U.S. Building of the Year,” said Murphy, Jr.
The Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building, named by Tom P. Murphy Jr., the President, founder and CEO of Coastal Construction, in memory of his father, is LEED-certified and includes studios to accommodate approximately 120 students. It includes a state-of-the-art fabrications lab and modern workstations, designed to enable advanced digital production. A lounge, computer lab, presentation areas, review spaces and offices are additional amenities. The facility occupies about 20,000 square feet, which includes indoor and outdoor jury areas where students present their final projects before esteemed peers and faculty.
The concrete and glass structure is simple and elegant, yet features exposed mechanical and electrical interior elements to serve as a teaching experience for students. The floor to ceiling seamless windows feature the most advanced glass technology available. The interior boasts minimal support structures to maximize flexible furniture placement, preparing students for modern collaborative workspaces. The customized, high-technology, architectural windows are manufactured by Tecnoglass Inc.
Donors who have enabled the completion of the Building include Arquitectonica Foundation, Tecnoglass, Winnie & Larry Kearns, B. Arch '85, and Rolando Llanes, B. Arch '83. An anonymous donor enabled the purchase of equipment for the Fabrication Lab.
About the Architect: Arquitectonica Foundation was founded 38 years ago by Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Laurinda Spear, two of the leading architects of a then emerging new generation. Today their practice spans the globe, with projects in 54 countries on five continents. Arquitectonica has 800 architects, landscape architects, planners, interior designers and industrial designers, in ten studios around the world. Its work is widely recognized through publications and exhibits, and its roster of clients includes leaders of both the public and private sectors.
For information about naming opportunities in the Murphy Design Studio Building, please contact Frances Garcia-Balbin at 305-284-5841.
