Amway Center in running for Florida's top buildings

Local buildings in spotlight for state architecture award

ORLANDO, Fla. – As Central Florida grows, new buildings seem to pop up daily. Some make a statement, some blend into the surroundings. Some inspire, some are just difficult to navigate.

[PHOTOS:  View the buildings]

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The Florida chapter of the American Institute of Architects wants to know what buildings are your favorites. 

People across the state will have a chance to vote for the buildings that impress them the most.

From the Perdido Key Fire Station in the Panhandle to the Perez Art Museum in Miami, 58 public buildings built within the last five years are in the running statewide.

Orlando's Amway Center is in the top 10 with over 215,000 votes being counted so far. Also in the running, Edgewater High School and Nemours Children's Hospital, both of which are in the top 20.

Other notable Central Florida buildings in the contest include the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the UCF/Valencia Joint Use Building and Exploration Tower in Cape Canaveral.

A total of 11 Central Florida buildings are on the list.

The contest is designed to get the community engaged in architecture.

"Florida's communities are built through the dreams of architects. Whether the purpose is reaching for the stars or reaching out to engage young children's minds, well-designed buildings are pivotal in the lives of Floridians," said Nathan Butler, president of AIA Florida. "Architects are an invaluable resource to building communities because they create the outstanding buildings and environments that make us feel good about where we live, work and play."

You can vote online at floridapeopleschoice.org. The contest ends July 18 and the winner will be announced at AIA's annual convention in Miami.


About the Author:

Paul is a Florida native who graduated from the University of Central Florida. As a multimedia journalist, Paul enjoys profiling the people and places that make Central Florida unique.

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