Hasta La Ideas

The wondrous institution that is the National Building Museum (whose imminent exhibition on world’s fairs merits a countdown calendar) kept the spring awards extravaganza going strong with tonight’s Honor Award gala, held in the museum’s Great Hall. The award, established in 1986 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made important contributions to America’s building heritage, this year recognized leadership in civic innovation—the ability to conquer societal challenges through creative thinking and inventive design. The 2010 honorees are Perkins+Will (the first architectural firm ever to receive the award); New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village founders Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis, Ann Marie Wilkins, and Jim Pate; and the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, an intercollegiate solar-powered housing design competition whose 2011 finalists are the subject of a special exhibition now on view at the museum. Check out the tubular, highly buoyant “Monocoque House” concept from the University of Hawaii, the sober and balanced approach advocated by Purdue, and Team China’s spiffy Y-shaped entry.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.