Artspace Recognized as the 2024 Recipient of the Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) is proud to recognize Artspace, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the distinguished recipient of the 2024 Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. The Gindroz Award recognizes excellence in the design and implementation of affordable housing in the classical tradition. The award panel considers the unique challenges of designing and building high-quality affordable housing, project contexts, community engagement, social impact, and commitment to building neighborhoods for all. Artspace was awarded for its exceptional commitment to addressing affordable housing and maintaining local arts communities through thoughtful historic preservation.

Artspace Projects, Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing and workspaces for entrepreneurs, the creative workforce, and communities in need. Since 1979, Artspace has revitalized neighborhoods through innovative real estate development, including historic building adaptive reuse. Artspace was recognized at an award ceremony that took place on Friday, September 20th at El Barrio Artspace PS109 in New York City, where Raymond L. Gindroz, FAIA, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Urban Design Associates, delivered remarks and guests toured the facilities.

Kelley Lindquist, President and CEO of Artspace, expressed his gratitude for this recognition, stating, “We are deeply honored to receive the Gindroz Award. This accolade reflects our commitment to creating affordable housing that not only provides homes but also enriches communities through thoughtful, inclusive design. Our mission is to create, foster, and preserve affordable and sustainable housing and workspace for entrepreneurs, and the creative workforce; and this award underscores the importance of our work.”

Will Law, Chief Operating Officer of Artspace, added, “Artspace has always believed in the power of art and design to transform lives and neighborhoods. This award validates our efforts to foster vibrant, equitable communities where creativity can thrive.”

Eric Osth, AIA, Chairman of Urban Design Associates, Board Member of the ICAA and Chair of the ICAA Gindroz Award Committee praised Artspace's contributions to affordable housing, saying, “Today, American cities and towns struggle to provide affordable housing and sustain a vibrant creative arts community. At the same time, they have remarkable historic buildings that remain vacant and underutilized. Across the US, Artspace has demonstrated compelling solutions to all these problems. We believe that this is worthy of national attention.”

ICAA President Peter Lyden remarked on Artspace’s mission, saying “The vision and dedication that Artspace brings to their work is truly inspirational. By inventively re-adapting long-neglected historic structures to create artist spaces and affordable housing, Artspace is helping to support artists, designers, and other creatives while simultaneously beautifying cities, towns, and communities.”

The award is named for Raymond L. Gindroz, FAIA, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Urban Design Associates, whose 50+ year career has been dedicated to improving the quality of affordable housing and the built environment. Over the course of his many efforts, Gindroz focused attention on the need to transform placeless public housing into high-quality urban neighborhoods. In doing so, he lobbied for policy reform and led design efforts that set the stage for this award today.

The ICAA is grateful for the support of the Muse Family Foundation for making the Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing possible.

The Gindroz Award panel included Eric Osth (Chair), Rebecca Lefkowitz, Michael Mesko, Whitney McKnight, Lyn Muse, Mallory Muse, David Rinehart, and Atul Sharma.

Tags: gindroz award, affordable housing, urbanism