The 2008 Orchids & Onions Awards Ceremony was held last night in the Hall of Champions at Balboa Park. The ceremony was emcee'd by the witty and entertaining Troy Johnson, Sr. Editor of Riviera Magazine. Architect Ted Smith served as the SDAF's own appointed contrarian, and provided another perspective to many of the projects that were selected as Onions by the jury. Ted gathered a soup urn chock full of Onions last night, and we appreciated hearing from what may (or may not) be the other side of the story. That is, after all, what it's all about!

Now for the Orchids... click on the link for more information about each - and to let us know what you think (agree? disagree?) by leaving a comment! More photos for each project will be posted shortly.

We want to hear from you!

Grand Orchid: Lux Art Institute

“'Lux'-uriously executed from top to bottom and more than just a gallery, Lux is a place that invites visitors to 'see art happen' in a combined artist residence, studio and exhibition space.”

People's Choice Orchid Award: Kaiser Hospital Rainforest Project

This received 29 percent of more than 250 votes cast online. Runner's up included Good Earth Plants' green roof in Kearny Mesa with 18 percent and and Second Street Studios in Encinitas with 11 percent.
“A joyous and uplifting makeover to a previously drab and unfriendly interior.” Said one online voter: “This art is not only beautiful, it's functional. It brings smiles, joy and wonder into a place that is too often filled with sadness. This is indeed what art should do.”

R-3 (Architecture)

“An audacious and supremely successful antidote to its unforgiving surroundings.”

UCSD Moores Cancer Center (Architecture)

“This could have been a behemoth of a building, but the architects took care to break down the scale and create an environment that nurtures.”

San Ysidro Department of Motor Vehicles office (Architecture)

“One couldn't ask for more out of a government-commissioned building.”

Oceanside Museum of Art – Central Pavilion (Architecture)

 “This slick, cool addition to a museum dedicated to regional artists is very straightforward with a minimalist approach that speaks of a refinement and economy of means one of the most sophisticated buildings in North County.”

Tweet Street at Cortez Hill Park (Planning policies)

“(An) urban gem that steals back an unused Caltrans right of way to create a much-needed shady green space Bravo! We need a hundred more of these!”

Point Loma Nazarene University's “green” policies (Sustainable design)

“Point Loma Nazarene University is living up to one of their core values. They are inspiring and educating their students, faculty and staff to be stewards of our natural resources.”

The Sprinter light-rail line (Sustainable design)

 “The pièce de résistance is the revitalization and reuse of an existing 100-year-old rail corridor. Now that's recycling from the past to build the future.”

New Children's Museum Park (Landscape architecture)

“The park enriches the lives of our children, adds beauty and interest to our environment, and is at home with the growing sophistication of our downtown.”

Chollas Creek restoration (Landscape architecture)

“This project is a great example of recent efforts to return our concrete drainage ways to the self-sustaining systems that our creeks were meant to be!”

Los Agaves Jardin (Landscape architecture)  

“This project deserved special recognition as a 'guerrilla community demonstration garden.'”

Pearl Hotel (Interior design)

“Every finely textured square inch reflects a thoughtfulness for scale, color, light and mood We do, however, miss the atomic-age motel sign.”

Our Mother of Confidence Church (Interior design)

“Our Mother got a makeover! The original building was modest and dutifully served the congregation since 1978. Despite the challenges, a dynamic and vibrant worship space has emerged. One juror remarked 'With a name like this, it would be a sin not to award it an Orchid!'”

Cowboy Star restaurant (Interior design)

“Saddle up everyone! This is a 1950s Hollywood Western colliding with modern/industrial sophistication – and it might just knock the spurs off your boots.”

Balboa Theatre (Historic preservation)

“This is a civic gem that could have easily been lost.”

Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre (Historic preservation)

 “The rehabilitation of the North Park Theatre is an excellent example of how a building can transform a community.”

Ballpark district warehouse buildings (Urban design)

“The Save Our Heritage Organisation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, city of San Diego and the Padres and the various developers deserve to be congratulated for injecting new life into the grand old warehouses of East Village.”

The Lofts at 655 Sixth (Public art)

“This building would feel naked without its art!”

“Landsailers” (Public art)

“An exemplary exhibit of 10 fanciful air, land and sea vehicles that create a coastal art trail, which unifies several La Jolla and Pacific Beach neighborhoods.”

Last night at the Hall of Champions the 2008 list of Orchid & Onion winners was unveiled. We are feverishly working to list them all on our website. But for now here is a link to the Union-Tribune's list of winners.

Read Roger Showley's coverage here.

Take a look and let us know what you think of the selections!