The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced Paul Hirzel, Washington State University professor with the School of Architecture and Construction, as one of 2 recipients of the 2005 Housing Committee national Award for a custom single-family home.

The AIA’s Housing Awards Program was established to recognize the best in housing design and to promote the importance of good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit, and a valuable national resource. There were 106 submissions for 8 awards in 4 categories.

The Canyon House overlooks the Clearwater River upstream from Lewiston, Idaho, from its perch on a 40-acre site. The owners wanted a year-round retreat for their family as well as a place imbued with wilderness for their grandchildren to explore. Two buildings define the site: a bunkhouse nestled into a ravine and a studio house 300 yards away.

The studio house, a derivative of the canyon’s mining structures, is a simple rectangular box inserted into a movement-resisting wooden frame. The lines of the studio house reference the 30 percent slope of the site, the verticality of the trees, and the horizontality of the floor plates.

The jury that judged entries said of the Canyon House, “We like the simple forms carved out for different uses. It has a real presence that is integrated, but not overpowering.”

Hirzel said that it is a rare instance where the builder, site, owner and architect all joined together to produce something that is treasured. He added that the site great strength that the owner, Kenneth Campbell, professor of physiology and bioengineering, valued.

“Paul Hirzel successfully brings his projects from the realm of architecture into the realm of true art,” said Greg Kessler, Director of the School of Architecture and Construction Management. “This award recognizes the excellence of his work and demonstrates the world-class caliber of our architecture faculty.”