The recently-opened Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building, a state-of the-art building at the University of Miami School of Architecture designed by Arquitectonica and built by Coastal Construction, has won the title of 2018 “Building of the Year” by World-Architects, a prestigious worldwide network of architects and building professionals.
The building, which received much attention in the media since its completion, bested 42 other buildings in the United States, and will be featured in the World-Architects website and newsletter for the month of February.
“The enthusiastic reception worldwide is a great validation of the tremendous effort and care invested by all in the project—the university, donors, architects, and builders,” Rodolphe “Rudy” El-Khoury, dean of the School of Architecture. “We were thrilled to see the building on the list of 43 nominees; to learn now that it actually won the highest distinction of ‘Building of the Year’ is just amazing. It says loud and clear that at the U, we are doing it right."
Tom Murphy, Jr., chairman and CEO of Coastal Construction and the lead donor for the Studio, named in memory of his father, was ecstatic about the accolade.
“My father was my mentor and best friend. He taught me the importance of family and the values I have are a result of watching him lead by example. This year I am celebrating my 50th year in business and I can't think of a more fitting tribute than to see this building, named in his honor, recognized as the 2018 U.S. ‘Building of the Year,’" said Murphy, Jr.
Raymond Fort, senior associate of Arquitectonica and the project’s designer, is happy that the studio has had such wide appeal.
“We are pleased and excited to see how the students, faculty and the community are embracing the new studio building. Arquitectonica is honored to have contributed to the project and congratulate the Murphys and the University on its continued commitment to the future of the School of Architecture,” he said.
World-Architects is a membership-based, premium network of select contemporary architects and building professionals, advocating quality in architecture. The building received the highest number of public votes at the WorldArchitects website.
