Loop Lofts win AIA award

The Lofts at Washington University in St. Louis, better known as the “Loop Lofts”, have been named a winner in the 2017 AIA Housing Awards in the Specialized Housing category. The Loop Lofts were one of 14 projects selected by the American Institute of Architects selected as the winners of its annual Housing Awards, “to recognize the best in housing design and promote the importance of good housing as a necessity of life.”

Here’s the official AIA description of the lofts:

This 280,000-square-foot mixed-use project (including retail and 415 beds in loft-style apartments) represents the University’s efforts to revitalize its surrounding neighborhood by locating student apartments in “the Loop” – an incredibly vibrant 24-hour urban district located six blocks from the university.

A unique type of residence hall, the project explores ways of adapting residential life models of living and learning to an urban model. Student residences in transparent towers over ground floor retail immerse students in the urban life of the Loop.

A new pedestrian mews, activated by student residences with stoops, connects The Loop with a residential neighborhood to the north. The project visibly expresses its commitment to sustainable living and is LEED Platinum certified. Key elements include bioswales, rain gardens, photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, sustainable building materials and high-efficiency glazing. A south-facing solar shading system is one of the key architectural focal points of the project.

• Link to article in Arcihtect Journal of AIA
• Related news release