Last week, LPA|A had the honor of receiving a Citation award from the Central Massachusetts Chapter of AIA for the design of the Beal Elementary School in Shrewsbury. Receiving recognition for the quality of a major project, particularly from a jury of peers in the field, is validating and a notable achievement, but definitely not at the forefront as projects take shape.

What is at the forefront are the needs and desires of the buildings’ owners and occupants, which is why LPA|A shares any awards or recognition with the partners with whom we collaborate. The core value of “Superior Design Inspired by You” intentionally centers clients while not losing sight of quality design as a primary goal.

The value that collaboration with clients brings to our work cannot be overstated. When you look at the different projects that have been recognized through various awards programs over the past few decades, what stands out is the diversity of the work.

The two most widely recognized projects in LPA|A’s portfolio, the Hanover Theatre renovation and the Worcester Technical High School, could not be more different. What is the same, not just between those two, but across all the firm’s work, is the importance of the client’s vision and dreams for their space.

Two years ago, LPA|A received the honor award also from the Central Massachusetts AIA for the Center for Well Being for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. This project was a very good example of a collaboration that led to a building that is functional and unique to their desires.

“We started to work with our architects, and LPA|A said, ‘What’s your vision, what’s your mission here?’ And they took that all in as architects and they designed this wonderful space for us that really reflects that mission,” said WPI Dean of Student Wellness Charles Morse. “This space was gutted and rebuilt and it reflects who we are now and what we value here at WPI in terms of health and well-being.”