November 26, 2013 (Norfolk, Virginia)  -- Two projects designed by Clark Nexsen have earned design awards from the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects (VSAIA). The firm was honored to receive two of the seven awards presented in the architecture category this year. The VSAIA Awards for Excellence in Architecture were presented at the 2013 Visions for Architecture gala at the Jefferson Hotel on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. The Virginia Society AIA awards recognize the very best work by designers working from Virginia.

Clark Nexsen received an Honor Award for architecture for the Health and Human Sciences Building at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The facility offers a “successful contrast to the natural setting out of which it grows” and “carefully pushes in the hillside contours, preserving a sensitive environment and gracefully stepping down the site,” according to a written statement from jurors in the competition.

The firm also received a Merit Award for architecture for Park Shops at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Clark Nexsen modernized Park Shops, one of the oldest spaces on NCSU’s campus, in a way that both preserves and celebrates its history and texture.

The jury for the architecture category was chaired by Thompson E. Penny, FAIA. The jury considered aesthetics, adherence to the client program, proven and projected building performance, and concept development.

Held annually, the VSAIA Awards for Excellence (also known as the Design Awards) celebrate projects that contribute to the built environment as clear examples of thoughtful and engaging design. This year 29 projects were chosen for design excellence from 139 submissions. The winning projects are featured in an exhibition at the Virginia Center for Architecture in Richmond, Virginia called Design 2013: A Retrospective of Winning Work running through Jan. 5, 2014.

About Clark Nexsen
Clark Nexsen is an integrated design firm providing architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design services to a broad range of sectors. In 2013, Architect magazine ranked the firm 11th in the Top 50 firms in the nation and Building Design+Construction magazine ranked Clark Nexsen in the Engineering/Architect Giants Top 20. With 450-plus employees in 11 office locations in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Washington, D.C., Clark Nexsen is committed to providing design excellence to clients throughout the U.S. and overseas. For more information on the firm, visit www.clarknexsen.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

For more information, contact Cat Brutvan at 919-576-2100 or cbrutvan@clarknexsen.com.