Wight & Company Honored With Awards for Design, Building and Sustainability

May 22, 2012 - PRLog -- Darien, Ill. (May 22, 2012)—Wight & Company, a leader in integrated architecture, engineering and construction solutions for the built environment, has won six awards and is in contention for a seventh. The awards include:

Early Learning Center at Forest Elementary School
American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) “Award of Merit”

The CAE Design Awards honor educational facilities that both demonstrate innovation and excellence in design while also enhancing the surrounding community and supporting the education of children. Wight served as the architect and construction management firm for The Early Learning Center (ELC) at Forest Elementary School in Des Plaines, Ill. The ELC employs several unique design elements, including Technology Integrated Learning Environments (TILEs) that provide dynamic, technology-rich classrooms; student-focused design features that consider students’ size and learning methods; and secured courtyards for outdoor play and natural light.  

Commitment to Green/Sustainable Design
U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter “Outstanding Organization”

Selected from dozens of nominees, Wight was a 2012 USGBC Emerald Award recipient, winning the “Outstanding Organization” award. The Emerald Awards recognize exceptional individuals, organizations and projects across Illinois that contribute to a more sustainable built environment. Wight was awarded “Outstanding Organization” for making significant strides to reduce their environmental footprint and improving the environment in a substantial way.

Hidden Oaks Nature Center
American Institute of Architects “Frank Lloyd Wright Honor Award”

Wight designed and built the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Ill. The LEED® Platinum building received the Frank Lloyd Wright Honor Award—the top award in its category—which recognizes the achievements of a project that enhances the natural and built environment of a community through the new design or renovation of an individual building.

Naperville Central High School
Floor Focus “Vision Design Award” and Chicago Building Congress Merit Award

Wight’s design work on the newly rebuilt and renovated Naperville Central High School won the education category and the overall grand prize in the Floor Focus annual 2012 Vision Design Awards. The awards celebrate the dynamic integration of flooring and architecture. The rebuilding effort transformed the district’s oldest community high school facility into a state-of-the-art learning environment by adding contemporary design elements and advanced technological resources.

Naperville Central High School also has been named a finalist for the 2012 Chicago Building Congress Merit Award.

Each year, the Chicago Building Congress presents six “Merit Awards” to honor outstanding projects in the greater Chicagoland built during the past three years.
 
Kane County Branch Court and Conference Center
American Institute of Architects “Excellence in Design” Award and Floor Focus “Vision Design Award” Honorable Mention

Wight was recognized for its design work in converting a former Montgomery Ward department store into a new Kane County Branch Court and Conference Center. The modern design focuses on multifunction use, allows for natural light and embeds technology that will accommodate a transition to a paperless court system.
The Kane County Branch Court and Conference Center also has been given an honorable mention by Floor Focus in their annual 2012 Vision Design Awards.

John Deere Middle School
Moline Preservation Society Award for Design – Sympathetic New Construction

Along with their partners, the Moline-Coal Valley School District, Wight is being recognized for their design work on the historic John Deere Middle School expansion. The work included a 13,200-square-foot addition to the 1931 school that included new classrooms, science rooms and team planning rooms for teachers.

Commenting on the awards, Mark T. Wight, the chairman and chief executive officer said, “We are proud to be acknowledged for high quality work we undertake in various aspects of our business. It’s gratifying to help our clients and partners reach their project goals and we share the recognition with them.”

About Wight & Company
Established in 1939, Wight & Company is a leader in integrated solutions for the built environment. With a professional staff of specialists, including 60 LEED® Accredited Professionals, Wight provides clients with comprehensive architecture, engineering and construction management services to the public and private sectors. As the first firm to receive Green Firm Certification from the Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI) and the architect of 30 LEED® certified or registered projects including silver, gold and platinum designations, Wight is committed to sustainable design and construction principles. It maintains offices in Chicago and Darien, Ill. For more information visit www.wightco.com.