Lux Art Institute, San Diego's art destination where visitors see art happen as the artistic process unfolds, was recognized with the Grand Orchid at last night's annual Orchids &Onions Awards Show at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. The awards program, sponsored by the San Diego Architectural Foundation, highlights the successes and failures in San Diego County architecture.

Lux, one of the county's first cultural facilities built with an eye toward environmental sustainability, balances artistic vision with ecological conservation and was honored for its progressive design with the Orchids & Onions' top honor.

Lux Director, Reesey Shaw, accepted the Grand Orchid and applauded the efforts of the building's architect, Renzo Zecchetto, AIA.

"Lux is thrilled with such a distinction," said Shaw. "We are celebrating the one-year anniversary of our Artist Pavilion, having opened our doors last year on November 11; so receiving the Grand Orchid now is especially meaningful. We are indebted to our architect, Renzo Zecchetto, Lux Board President Paul Robinson, and our Lux board for their excellence, persistence and talents."

Santa Monica, California-based Zecchetto- whose other significant architectural projects include the award-winning Church of the Nativity in Fairbanks Ranch, Calif., the Alusa Printing Company in Santiago, Chile, and most recently the new Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at Santa Monica College - designed the contemporary, two-story building to utilize energy-saving strategies including natural light and recycled materials which will preserve resources for future generations.

The current structure includes a residence and a working studio for the artist, as well as state-of-the-art exhibition space, offices, and library.

Since its opening in November 2007, Lux has become known as one of the most contemporary art venues in San Diego County where visitors can "see art happen." It is one of the first museum facilities in the U.S. to establish a unique artist-in-residence program that focuses on the living artist and the creative process.

Slated to be the first "green" (LEED certified) art museum in California and located alongside one of Southern California's few remaining coastal wetlands, Lux's five-acre site overlooks the San Elijo Lagoon and is surrounded by a wildlife preserve that stretches to the Pacific Ocean. In an effort to meld the conservation and re-vegetation beyond the museum walls, an array of rare native plants blends seamlessly into the nearby preserve.

Lux's Artist Pavilion marks the completion of the first phase of construction of the expansive project. When the second phase of construction is complete, Lux will have two face-to-face buildings separated by a series of gardens. Indoor paths will connect vaulted exhibition spaces, public lecture areas, a library, administrative offices, a museum store, café, and an event plaza at the top of the knoll.

Lux is also dedicated to encouraging children's artistic curiosity through Luxcursion (classroom fieldtrips to Lux) the Valise Project (portable museums presented to schools throughout San Diego), Summer Camp and Family Day.

Lux Hours: Thursday and Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 for two visits. Free admission throughout December 2008.

For more information about Lux Art Institute, please visit www.luxartinstitute.org or call 760.436.6611

About Orchids & Onions
The Orchids & Onions program, started in 1976 by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, is now sponsored by the San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF) and aims to raise consciousness about quality design and sensitive urban planning throughout the San Diego community.

238 projects, including Lux, were submitted for awards consideration in eight categories such as architecture, sustainable design, landscape architecture, and interior design. Following the nomination period that ended in August, an eight-member jury comprised of multidisciplinary professionals narrowed down the choices for Orchids (favored) and Onions (not-so-favored) finalists.

Once Orchid finalists are chosen, the jury selects one for the honor of "Grand Orchid." The decision is based on a number of factors, such as aesthetics, sustainability, and the project's relationship to its environment.