American Institute of Architecture Headquarters Florida Region, Tallahassee, Florida

The project was awarded through a national design competition that received 35 entries. The HADP design received the first place prize and the commission to design the project. The HADP goal for the project was to focus on the historic periods of the structure and to provide a modern office interior inside a restored historic building.

The American Institute of Architects purchased an older building in downtown Tallahassee across from the Florida State Capital for their new state headquarters. The work included maintaining the exterior shell of the building and providing a totally new interior to meet the A.I.A. design requirements. The building is a two-story building that was modified by removing two-thirds of the second floor to open up the whole space to the roof structure above. The front was renovated to its present design to maintain the existing form of the building while opening up the wall to let in more light and a sense of spaciousness. A skylight was added to the roof to allow light to flood the main floor and enhance the sense of openness. The design and construction was coordinated with renovation work going on at the same time next to the common masonry walls. The intent was to preserve as much as possible of the existing historic area and buildings.