VALDOSTA — Gladwin Vaughn Architecture recently received three design awards that marked a significant celebration of preservation excellence in Valdosta and Lowndes County, the company said in a press release.
The historic Lowndes County Courthouse stands as a beacon of preservation triumph, securing the esteemed Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation. Endowed by the chairman of the Georgia Trust, this distinguished award recognizes extraordinary efforts contributing to the preservation of Georgia’s historic resources.
“The restoration and rehabilitation of the Lowndes County Courthouse reflects not only a meticulous dedication to historical integrity, but also a profound reverence for the cultural heritage it represents,” the company press release said. “The successful project symbolizes the citizens’ commitment to their county’s economic, cultural, and social longevity.”
The historic courthouse garnered further acclaim with the receipt of the Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Georgia in the category of Renovation/Restoration/Adaptive-Reuse over $1M. This award honors masterful renovation, preservation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, adaptive reuse, and restoration projects and signifies the pinnacle of architectural achievement.
In parallel recognition, the McKey Building in Valdosta received the esteemed Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Excellence in Rehabilitation award. The McKey Building is an icon of Downtown Valdosta. Steeped in rich history, the McKey has a new lease on life following its recent rehabilitation, which transformed the once dormant building into a vibrant multi-use building and boutique hotel with breathtaking views of historic downtown, while overlooking the majestic historic Lowndes County Courthouse.
“These awards serve as a testament to our unwavering commitment to the preservation and celebration of our architectural heritage,” said Erin Vaughn, co-owner and architect at Gladwin Vaughn Architecture. “Each project embodies our fervent belief in the transformative power of architecture to honor the past while embracing the future.”
“Projects of this size and scope are exceedingly rare in smaller communities such as Downtown Valdosta and Lowndes County,” said Céline Gladwin, co-owner and architect at Gladwin Vaughn Architecture. “When they occur, they deserve to be celebrated and recognized by reputable and impactful organizations such as The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects. We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring home not one, but three prestigious awards.”
Gladwin Vaughn Architecture extended their gratitude to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, the County leadership, and the citizens of Lowndes County for entrusting the firm with restoring the historic courthouse. Also, Gladwin Vaughn Architecture thanks Daniel Bayman and his partners for their vision for the McKey Building.
“Additionally, works such as the historic preservation and rehabilitation of the historic courthouse and the McKey Building couldn’t be done without the help and support of a great and talented design and construction team,” the press release said. “We are indebted to all our consultants and the construction teams of Allstate and Cauthan Construction for the Courthouse, and J. Burns Construction for the McKey building, which helped us ensure the successful completion and delivery of the majestic historic Lowndes County Courthouse and the magnificent McKey Building.”
For more information about Gladwin Vaughn Architecture and its award-winning projects, please visit gladwinvaughn.com.