Maine is noted primarily for his buildings for government and public institutions. His works reflect the confrontation between natural and social processes, combine "mechanical" and "organic" elements. Their style is formally close to deconstructivism, but does not share the latter's indifference to function.
Iconoclast Tom Maine spent a long time developing his ideas in small private projects and was far from the mainstream, until, unexpectedly for many, in the 1990s he became one of the main participants in the program of quality design for public institutions (General Service Administration's Design Excellence program). Since then, he has completed various administrative buildings (including courts), educational institutions and one facility for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since 2009, Maine has been a member of the Committee on Arts and Humanities under the President of the United States.
The AIA Gold Medal is the highest architectural award for a private individual, recognizing his or her vital contribution to architecture, which has had a significant impact on the development of its theory and practice. Maine became the 69th medalist, before him this honor was awarded, among others, F. L. Wright, Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, J. M. Drink, Renzo Piano and Stephen Hall.
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects' Best Workshop Award is also presented annually and is the highest honor for an architectural firm. It is awarded to studios that have created a complete set of quality projects for at least 10 years. Led by Tod Williams and Billy Jian, the bureau is renowned for its public buildings, especially cultural and educational institutions. Their neo-modernist works are distinguished by their great attention to detail, context, materials.
TWBTA, with only about 30 employees, is the 50th AIA award winner. Before them, it was honored by the bureau of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott-Brown, J. M. Peja, SOM, Muphy / Jahn.
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