2WR + Partners recently received a 2014 Citation Award from the American Association of Architects (AIA), Georgia Association,  for the Harris County Community Center. 

On Thursday evening, January 5, Lee Martin, Project Architect and Principal with 2WR + Partners in Columbus, Georgia, presented the Design Award to the Harris County Commissioners at the Harris County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at Callaway Gardens Lodge & Spa. 

Special recognition was given to former County Manager Danny Bridges, County Clerk Nancy McMichael, Community Center Director John Magazu, current County Manager Greg Wood, and County Commissioner Harry Lange, who received the award on behalf of the Commissioners.

According to Mr. Martin, "The Harris County Community Center was chosen for special recognition by a panel that consisted of distinguished architects from across the nation.  The Community Center successfully competed against Atlanta area and statewide projects that had double the cost per square foot. In the beginning, Harris County approached us to design a multi-function community center. With a large program but a tight budget it became critical to maximize every design move we made. Through a very careful and creative design process, we were able to incorporate their entire program and create a truly successful multi-function community building." 

County Commissioner Harry Lange spoke of the many assets the Community Center provides its residents and pointed out that when real estate agents take prospective home buyers on a tour of the neighborhood, they show them the Community Center first.

John Magazu, Director of Harris County Recreation Department, recently said, "The new facility has been a great asset for the county. People constantly rave about the building. Since opening, we have had a steady stream of new members - in 18 months we went  from 0 to 5,000 members!" 

The 42,000 square-foot community center provides a competition pool and children’s water play elements. Two indoor basketball/volleyball courts serve a dual role as a large public event space. Classrooms and meeting rooms also provide a much-needed formal assembly space for community events. The design takes into consideration Harris County's unique natural beauty and agrarian culture. 

Visit http://www.2wrarch.com/harris-county-community-center (link) to view photos and learn more details about the award-winning project.