3+1=4

Dake Wells Architecture has been presented with 4, count 'em, four, awards for design excellence from AIA Springfield in its bi-annual awards competition DA08. Three from the program's prestigious professional jury from Seattle, including Jon Wagner, AIA, Eric Lagerberg, AIA and chaired by Eric Cobb, AIA and one granted by the public jury of local community leaders.

The System, A Paul Mitchell Partner School received a Citation Award from the professional jury,



Stoutland School Addition received a Merit Award from the professional jury,



And Joel E. Barber Elementary School received the professional jury's highest honor- Honor Award.



And then the public jury, chaired by Nancy Brown-Dornan, saw fit to grant Joel E. Barber with yet another award- Public Recognition Award for Small School.

These are the fruits of our labor.

This recognition is a huge thrill for us and validates our efforts. We see awards granted by our peers in the profession, especially ones we have such admiration for in their own right, as encouragement to continue our efforts to constantly push our designs to a higher level.

There is no question that it takes exceptionally supportive clients, consultants and contractors to make these kinds of projects possible. We extend our sincerest thanks to all those we've worked with on these three projects in particular.

But wait, there's more! We have some truly exciting projects currently on the boards in our office, several of which are our largest projects to date. They each present their own unique design challenges and look to be equally exciting design solutions that we hope to share with you all in the near future. Check out our website for some previews and of course - stay tuned.

May Art Walk

We love creative talent here at D|Wa, and while we might know our way around a set of floor plans, we're lost on a lot of other artistic endeavors.  So, after recognizing our limitations, we've begun opening up for art walk and convincing that creative talent to hang out with us.

Last Friday, May 2nd, Convey Studios hosted their second photography exhibit in our space.  The exhibit featured photographs of the people of Uganda, taken by Jen Campbell.  We're routinely impressed by the quality and variety of work that comes from our city's arts community, and when it comes to photography, Sesha, Jen, and Reese are producing some of the best and most relevant work out there.  

Outside of documenting the people in and around Springfield, Convey has a portfolio of international work that hints at what truly sets them apart: their shared social conscious.  The quality and care shown in their shots of people from around the world, and their continued push for awareness of humanitarian issues, reveal that their practice is built upon much more than just good composition.  Check them out for yourself at www.conveystudios.com.

We were also fortunate enough to have some great musical talent in our space last Friday.  Lee Ellen Starks and Elizabeth Losson can usually be found playing somewhere each First Friday.  Trading off between acoustic guitar and piano, their music is folk with an occasional mix of blues.  Their voices however are where they excel.  Elizabeth and Lee Ellen’s voices are each strong and unique on their own, but they are at their best when harmonizing with each other.  They will be playing at the next Art Walk at Randy Bacon’s Studio on June 6th.  You can find more information on them at

http://www.myspace.com/leeellenstarks 

http://www.myspace.com/88keymt

Erin Swanson also added to the set by playing viola on a few songs.  Erin has played with Drury University’s orchestra and quartet for four years and has shared the stage with Jeremy Larson along with other local musicians.  She’s very talented, clever, and was kind enough to even let me sit in on a few songs. 

We will be open again next month (June 6th) so come up and visit.  We’re not sure what we’re showing yet… but we’ve got a month to figure it out, and surprises are more fun anyways.  See you then.