![Stone façade mansion nestled in lush, tall trees, greenery, blue skies Stone façade mansion nestled in lush, tall trees, greenery, blue skies](https://www.dlrgroup.com/media/2023/06/25_18101_00_N11_weblg-1536x1024.jpg)
DLR Group Projects Receive 2023 American Architecture Awards
(Seattle, Wash., December 13, 2023) – DLR Group has been honored with the prestigious American Architecture Award for its work on projects spanning multiple sectors, including exposition, cultural performing arts, and civic. The award is presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press. DLR Group will accept these awards at the Gala Awards Reception Dinner on December 13 at the Arts Club of Chicago.
The list of DLR Group’s winning projects include:
![Stone façade mansion nestled in lush, tall trees, greenery, blue skies Stone façade mansion nestled in lush, tall trees, greenery, blue skies](https://www.dlrgroup.com/media/25_18101_00_N13_weblg-aspect-ratio-1440-850-1536x907.jpg)
Ford Nature Center in Youngstown, OH. Photo by Kevin G. Reeves.
Ford Nature Center
Youngstown, Ohio
The redeveloped Ford Nature Center in Youngstown, Ohio occupies a historic stone mansion originally designed in 1913 features a refresh of all exhibits, including the addition of a new 1,500-SF gallery that overlooks the building’s landscape. The gallery addition also includes a roof terrace, and is set into the site’s topography, expanding the building’s size without impacting its historic character. The facility was recognized in the Museums and Cultural Buildings category.
![Rounded walkway to spiraling building with tan walls and white spiraling walkway to top Rounded walkway to spiraling building with tan walls and white spiraling walkway to top](https://www.dlrgroup.com/media/40_22135_00_N7_weblg-aspect-ratio-1440-850-1536x907.jpg)
Expo 2027 Master Plan for Bloomington, MN. Rendering © DLR Group.
Minnesota USA Expo 2027
Minneapolis
In anticipation of Minnesota USA Expo 2027, DLR Group was commissioned by the State Department to represent the United States in a competition between five countries to select the host site. The proposed design was a new development that links to existing structures at the Mall of America and surrounding areas in Minneapolis. DLR Group’s design centered around the city’s identity as the land of the lakes, thematizing water as a connector and foundation for health and vitality. The master plan was recognized in Exposition category.
Three DLR Group designs that received honorable mention include:
![Rendering of a modern building surrounded by greenery bustling with people Rendering of a modern building surrounded by greenery bustling with people](https://www.dlrgroup.com/media/75_22620_00_N47_weblg-aspect-ratio-1440-850-1536x907.jpg)
La Sierra University New Museum and Amphitheater in Riverside, CA. Rendering © DLR Group.
La Sierra University’s New Museum and Amphitheater
Riverside, California
La Sierra University’s New Museum and Amphitheater uses its 40,000 SF to celebrate its archaeology and natural history collections. The design takes inspiration from oases and is organized to act as a beacon that connects the campus and community while fostering curiosity for new audiences.
![Looking from across the street at the exterior of the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento, lit up with purple lights Looking from across the street at the exterior of the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento, lit up with purple lights](https://www.dlrgroup.com/media/75_17723_00_N44_pp-e1641939261614-aspect-ratio-1440-850-2.jpg)
The SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento, CA. Photo by David Huff.
The SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
Sacramento, California
The SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center was transformed into an acoustically superior performance space through DLR Group’s renovation of 98,000 SF and addition of 25,000 SF of program space, including the largest electro-acoustic enhancement system in California.
![](https://www.dlrgroup.com/media/30_19101_00_N29_weblg-aspect-ratio-5-7-1097x1536.jpg)
Pinal County Attorney’s Office Addition in Florence, AZ. Photo by Winquist.
Pinal County Attorney’s Office
Florence, Arizona
The new, 56,000-SF Pinal County Attorney’s Office’s biomimetic design draws inspiration from the local saguaro cactus, providing both natural cooling and daylight throughout the building.