14 Jul AIA New Orleans Design Awards 2024
Held at Generations Hall on July 11, 2024, this year’s AIA New Orleans Design Awards honored the visionaries in our field who are driving positive change through architecture. Architects, designers, and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the creative achievements that shape the unique architectural landscape of New Orleans and the surrounding region. The evening recognized a range of exceptional projects that exemplify innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
As a platinum sustaining supporter of AIA New Orleans for over 20 years, it’s always a privilege to be at these annual awards, celebrating the incredible talent and dedication that each of our clients brings to the field of architecture and design. Your innovative work shapes our cities and communities, creating spaces that inspire and uplift us all.
As a long-standing partner of AIA New Orleans, AOS was honored to present two awards at this year’s ceremony. First, we presented Waggonner & Ball the award for Master Planning/Urban Design for the Mandeville Parks & Recreation Master Plan. This award recognizes projects that embody holistic, forward-thinking approaches to urban development, merging vision with actionable strategies to create vibrant, sustainable public spaces. Later in the evening, AOS had the distinct pleasure of presenting the People’s Choice Award to Studio Kiro for their remarkable restoration of the Dew Drop Inn. Having worked on the project with Francie Abell, Director of Interior Design at Studio Kiro, this project holds particular significance for us. It represents the power of design to honor cultural heritage, breathing new life into a space that has long been an important fixture in the civil rights movement, New Orleans’s musical heritage, and the enduring power of resilience.
Photos by Patrick Niddrie | Courtesy of AIA New Orleans
Dew Drop Inn
Studio Kiro
People’s Choice Award
A standout moment of the evening was the Dew Drop Inn project taking home the People’s Choice Award. Studio Kiro led the design of revitalization with support from Ryan Gottee General Contractors, transforming the Dew Drop Inn into a multifaceted space that honors its storied past while embracing modern design. This newly restored local landmark, which AOS proudly collaborated on and provided the furnishings for, is a testament to preserving cultural heritage and bringing new life into historic spaces. Dew Drop Inn’s revitalization captured the hearts of the community and serves as an example of how thoughtful design can bridge the past and future.
The Dew Drop Inn has long stood as a beacon of resilience and artistry in New Orleans. Established in 1939 by Frank Painia, the venue was more than a barbershop or music club—it was a sanctuary for Black musicians and travelers navigating the complexities of segregation. Known as a hub on the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” the Dew Drop hosted icons like Ray Charles, Etta James, and Little Richard, drawing crowds and creating a vibrant, inclusive community.The club’s legacy survived police raids, legal battles, and decades of silence after its closure in 1970, before finally being granted new life under local developer Curtis Doucette, Jr. and his team.
Each guest room is dedicated to legendary performers who once graced the Dew Drop’s stage. Additionally, tthe first-floor restaurant and bar area doubles as a music venue, creating a seamless transition between dining and live performances, while the pool and outdoor courtyard offer a stylish retreat for guests.
See more photos of the project here.
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