Press contact:
Greg Randolph
greg@visitsunvalley.com
208.725.2103
Sun Valley Visitor Center Building Wins Major
International Architectural Award
_________________________________
Architect Susan Desko’s Design Featured in Traveling Exhibition
_____________________________________________________
Ketchum, ID, September 21, 2012 -- The
Sun Valley Marketing Alliance (SVMA)
announced today that the Sun Valley
Visitor Center, which was transformed last
fall by Ketchum architect Susan Desko
from an decaying, vacant bank building
into a community gathering place, is a
recipient of the highly prestigious
American Architecture Awards for 2012.
The Awards are international in scope, and
honor new and cutting-edge design. They
are organized by The Chicago Athenaeum:
Museum of Architecture and Design and
The European Centre for Architecture Art
Architect, Susan Desko created an award winning
landmark structure from a blighted bank building in
Design and Urban Studies.
the heart of Sun Valley’s downtown Ketchum, Idaho.
A record number of projects for new
buildings, landscape architecture, and urban
planning, including ones from the most well-known firms around the world, were
submitted for consideration. Desko’s design was deemed one of the best by the jury, and
will be featured in a traveling exhibition that opens in October at the Istanbul Biennial in
Turkey. The Visitor Center will be in the company of highly regarded designs for
skyscrapers, major museums, university buildings, corporate headquarters, and even the
High Line in Manhattan.
“We never dreamed that with such a small budget, the Visitor Center could become not
only an architectural icon in downtown Ketchum, but a building to be featured halfway
around the world,” remarked SVMA president and chief marketing officer Arlene
Schieven. “There were many in this community who knew the design was special –
including scores of volunteers and donors – so it’s very exciting to see our building, our
city, and our architect recognized in such a major way.” Schieven pointed out that
because of the painfully small budget, Desko had opted to work for SVMA on a pro bono
basis, and also helped to raise funds to complete the project.
Capturing the essence of the local landscape, Desko used reclaimed and “deadfall” logs
from the nearby area to invigorate the exterior and interior of the building. Massive
wood totems on the outside – “Log Out” – identify the building from afar, while the
totems on the interior – “Log In” – wrap around the
visitor information hub. Steel-framed panels of
stacked wood are featured inside and out, and local
wood is used for countertops and benches.
Multimedia technology, including iPads and video
screens, are featured throughout the information hub.
Desko also took advantage of the old bank vault,
turning it into a public meeting room that honors
former local Ernest Hemingway, displaying larger than
life photos of the area’s beloved icon. The design
features the seamless integration of a Starbucks coffee
shop as well, bringing locals and visitors together in a
unique way.
“We are obviously thrilled with the news of the
award,” said Susan Desko. “It represents a great
opportunity to showcase the importance of design and
architecture, but also how a community can rally
Inside the Sun Valley Visitor Center,
technology is juxtaposed against
together to ‘raise a barn,’ so to speak, after a dismal
organic, natural materials.
few years in the local economy.” She also pointed out
that the whole project was completed in just 10 weeks.
The Visitor Center has sparked many favorable comments from locals and tourists.
Seattle artist Judith Kindler, who visits periodically, wrote on Trip Advisor, “The unique
updating of a log cabin concept into a total contemporary and extraordinary environment
sets a tone for our dear Ketchum by creating a central place to relax, enjoy friends and
uplift the spirit. The vaulting logs reaching to the skies are just brilliant.”
The Sun Valley Visitor Center is located at 491 Sun Valley Road, at the corner of East
Avenue, and is adjacent to the Ketchum Town Square. The building is owned by the
Ketchum URA, which leases the space to the SVMA and the Cairde Group, operator of a
Starbucks coffee shop. The redesign undertaken by Desko was led by SVMA.
The Award recipients can be viewed at www.chi-athenaeum.org or
www.europeanarch.eu. The jury this year was organized by the Federation of Korean
Architects in Seoul. The exhibition, “New American Architecture,” featuring the award
winners will travel throughout Europe after leaving the Istanbul Biennial.