Architecture firms submitted 18 projects from across the state for consideration for the 2021 AIA South Dakota Design Awards. Winners will be announced on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at the AIA South Dakota Design Awards Ceremony.
Click any of the images below to view full-size pictures and/or browse through them in a slideshow. If you’d like to help vote for the People’s Choice Award, you can do so here (the deadline is Monday, Sept. 13 at 11:59 p.m.).
Here are the entrants:
The American Indian Student Center is meant to recognize many cultural traditions, celebrate them, and foster unity among cultures. It is a home for those away from their tribal home and a gathering place for a wider understanding of one another’s culture. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
The American Indian Student Center is meant to recognize many cultural traditions, celebrate them, and foster unity among cultures. It is a home for those away from their tribal home and a gathering place for a wider understanding of one another’s culture. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
The Avera Medical Group Family Health Center is designed for convenient outpatient care and emergency services for the more than 45,000 residents of the Sioux Falls community live west of interstate 29. This 3-story, 85,000 SF building is serving the needs of these residents, including primary care, internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, urgent care, optometry, physical therapy, on-site laboratory, radiology, and medical imaging services, and South Dakota’s first free standing, 24-hour emergency department. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert – Cipher Imaging) 
The Avera Medical Group Family Health Center is designed for convenient outpatient care and emergency services for the more than 45,000 residents of the Sioux Falls community live west of interstate 29. This 3-story, 85,000 SF building is serving the needs of these residents, including primary care, internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, urgent care, optometry, physical therapy, on-site laboratory, radiology, and medical imaging services, and South Dakota’s first free standing, 24-hour emergency department. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert – Cipher Imaging) 
The Citizens Building is a historic renovation & addition located in Downtown Aberdeen. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Megan Stenzel) 
The Citizens Building is a historic renovation & addition located in Downtown Aberdeen. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Megan Stenzel) 
The Fairburn is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Rapid City. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Kenzie Trujillo, Nate Krueger) 
The Fairburn is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Rapid City. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Kenzie Trujillo, Nate Krueger) 
The Falcon is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Sioux Falls. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Tessa Klarenbeek, Ali Kummer) 
The Falcon is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Sioux Falls. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Tessa Klarenbeek, Ali Kummer) 
Greenhouse Plaza, not only a place where people can purchase plants or enhance their outdoor environments, but also a vibrant community asset, hosting a wide variety of events and gatherings. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
Greenhouse Plaza, not only a place where people can purchase plants or enhance their outdoor environments, but also a vibrant community asset, hosting a wide variety of events and gatherings. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The new Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area was driven by a desire to engage visitors with the pioneering heritage of South Dakota, and the traditional agrarian forms of early homesteading. While the original structure, erected in the 70s, was torn down to welcome new construction, the site continues to welcome weary travelers entering the State via Interstate 29 near its border with Iowa. With a clean slate for the building’s design, the organization of the 6,000 square foot project simplifies the task of Travel Councilors and tourism promotion, while paying homage to the State’s history and site’s existing tipi (teepee); one of nine pre-stressed concrete lodgepole structures positioned throughout the State and designed by South Dakota architect, Walt Whitwam. As one of the State’s most frequented rest stops – at times greeting upwards of 96,600 visitors per year – the Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area’s impact is far and wide. Today, this popular pit stop is a re-inspired destination with newly defined spaces to greet visitors, connect tourists to events and activities, promote holistic wellness, and provide education in the realm of historic connection and storytelling in the new exhibit hall. (Photo credit: Steve Silverman) 
The new Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area was driven by a desire to engage visitors with the pioneering heritage of South Dakota, and the traditional agrarian forms of early homesteading. While the original structure, erected in the 70s, was torn down to welcome new construction, the site continues to welcome weary travelers entering the State via Interstate 29 near its border with Iowa. With a clean slate for the building’s design, the organization of the 6,000 square foot project simplifies the task of Travel Councilors and tourism promotion, while paying homage to the State’s history and site’s existing tipi (teepee); one of nine pre-stressed concrete lodgepole structures positioned throughout the State and designed by South Dakota architect, Walt Whitwam. As one of the State’s most frequented rest stops – at times greeting upwards of 96,600 visitors per year – the Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area’s impact is far and wide. Today, this popular pit stop is a re-inspired destination with newly defined spaces to greet visitors, connect tourists to events and activities, promote holistic wellness, and provide education in the realm of historic connection and storytelling in the new exhibit hall. (Photo credit: Steve Silverman) 
The Link fills the need for a safe place for the assessment of people in crisis needing behavioral health services or substance abuse care in Sioux Falls, SD. This interior renovation is the result of a public-private partnership with the goal of providing care for people and connecting them to services that can help. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert – Cipher Imaging) 
The Link fills the need for a safe place for the assessment of people in crisis needing behavioral health services or substance abuse care in Sioux Falls, SD. This interior renovation is the result of a public-private partnership with the goal of providing care for people and connecting them to services that can help. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert – Cipher Imaging) 
The NSU Regional Sports Complex will be the premier sporting complex in the region, helping Northern achieve 50 years of academic and athletic success. The hope is that this facility leads to better recruits, more winning, more applications, more donors, more funding, better learning facilities, and better academics. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The NSU Regional Sports Complex will be the premier sporting complex in the region, helping Northern achieve 50 years of academic and athletic success. The hope is that this facility leads to better recruits, more winning, more applications, more donors, more funding, better learning facilities, and better academics. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The Raven Industries Engineered Films Building addition drew inspiration from the manufacturing process of the films and is punctuated by layered linear design elements throughout. The addition provides updated amenity spaces for the employees and a new appearance those employees could be proud of. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The Raven Industries Engineered Films Building addition drew inspiration from the manufacturing process of the films and is punctuated by layered linear design elements throughout. The addition provides updated amenity spaces for the employees and a new appearance those employees could be proud of. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
Sauna Cube is an 8x8x8 volume articulated in 5 frames with a slice to create a skylight face allowing early morning sun into the wood interior as well as views out into the tree canopy. In winter, snow and ice is melted and causes the building to “sweat “ like the occupant, with visible streams running down the transparent surface. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
Sauna Cube is an 8x8x8 volume articulated in 5 frames with a slice to create a skylight face allowing early morning sun into the wood interior as well as views out into the tree canopy. In winter, snow and ice is melted and causes the building to “sweat “ like the occupant, with visible streams running down the transparent surface. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center showcases South Dakota State University’s dedication, commitment, and the importance of the arts to the campus and the community. The expansion fosters integrated learning and interdisciplinary collaboration between students, faculty, and visitors. (Photo credit: Tom Kessler Photography) 
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center showcases South Dakota State University’s dedication, commitment, and the importance of the arts to the campus and the community. The expansion fosters integrated learning and interdisciplinary collaboration between students, faculty, and visitors. (Photo credit: Tom Kessler Photography) 
The South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides a vibrant new school setting and dorm for K-12 students with visual impairments for the State of South Dakota. It balances a comfortable setting with subtle details that appropriately teach those with vision impairments how to navigate the built environment, and it playfully uses texture throughout the facility to bring the public into that experience. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides a vibrant new school setting and dorm for K-12 students with visual impairments for the State of South Dakota. It balances a comfortable setting with subtle details that appropriately teach those with vision impairments how to navigate the built environment, and it playfully uses texture throughout the facility to bring the public into that experience. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated, veterans cemetery in South Dakota. This 60-acre property offers a picturesque setting in northereastern Sioux Falls, conveniently located along Interstate 90. (Photo credit: Jesse Wilkens) 
The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated, veterans cemetery in South Dakota. This 60-acre property offers a picturesque setting in northereastern Sioux Falls, conveniently located along Interstate 90. (Photo credit: Jesse Wilkens) 
“The Last Jewel in the Crown of Historic Downtown” reopened its doors to moviegoers in December 2020, a remarkable feat given the fact that the world was just starting to recover from the pandemic. The State Theatre Renovation and reopening has contributed to the revitalization of downtown Sioux Falls, enhancing the experience for generations to come. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
“The Last Jewel in the Crown of Historic Downtown” reopened its doors to moviegoers in December 2020, a remarkable feat given the fact that the world was just starting to recover from the pandemic. The State Theatre Renovation and reopening has contributed to the revitalization of downtown Sioux Falls, enhancing the experience for generations to come. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
Urban Nest is a net zero energy ready Urban Refill home for a family with two young sons just south of downtown Sioux Falls in a well-established, walkable neighborhood. The stacked front porch features W-flange steel columns, adding to the variety of columns seen on the street and contemporary slat detailing is used to screen views to the second level porch but frame views toward downtown. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
Urban Nest is a net zero energy ready Urban Refill home for a family with two young sons just south of downtown Sioux Falls in a well-established, walkable neighborhood. The stacked front porch features W-flange steel columns, adding to the variety of columns seen on the street and contemporary slat detailing is used to screen views to the second level porch but frame views toward downtown. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The Wilmot Welcome Center responds to the existing facility’s vernacular and the region’s rolling topography to provide a new and engaging visitor experience for those visiting and passing through South Dakota’s northern border. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The Wilmot Welcome Center responds to the existing facility’s vernacular and the region’s rolling topography to provide a new and engaging visitor experience for those visiting and passing through South Dakota’s northern border. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere)
2021 Design Awards entry that won the 2020 People’s Choice Award.
The Jewett Regional Science Education Center at Northern State University provides an exciting new front-porch greeting to visitors and the Aberdeen community. It is a sophisticated facility that is reflective of the sophisticated studies occurring inside. (Photo credit: Matt Winquist Photography) 
The Jewett Regional Science Education Center at Northern State University provides an exciting new front-porch greeting to visitors and the Aberdeen community. It is a sophisticated facility that is reflective of the sophisticated studies occurring inside. (Photo credit: Matt Winquist Photography)
AIA South Dakota is the professional non-profit membership association of architects, future architects, and partners in the building and design industries, and the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) AIA South Dakota advances the mission that design matters in every South Dakota community.