The Powerhouse at Beloit College has been awarded two prestigious design awards: Fast Company’s 2021 Innovation by Design Award in the Spaces and Places category and Italian publication The Plan’s Award 2021 in the Renovation category.
Ten years ago, Beloit College President Scott Bierman had an idea to transform the decommissioned Blackhawk Generating Station on the Rock River into a new student center connecting the College with the broader community.
“We are honored that the Beloit Powerhouse has been recognized by both Fast Company and The Plan for its state-of-the-art design,” said Scott Bierman, Beloit College president. “We take pride in our bold innovations, and the Powerhouse exemplifies true integration of this strength. We would not have been able to complete this project without Studio Gang’s valiant vision and partnership.
“Gang’s philosophy leans heavily on community input, ecological awareness, and knowing when to reuse existing structures and materials instead of building anew,” writes Nate Berg in the October cover story, the first featuring an architect in more than a decade.
Beloit Powerhouse is the winner of Fast Company’s 2021 Innovation by Design Awards in the Spaces and Places category for “cleverly reusing architecture that’s already there.”