Unveiling San Diego’s Architectural Gems: The Orchids & Onions Awards 2023!

As the pumpkin spice season approaches, so does the exciting time of year for architecture enthusiasts in San Diego! The San Diego Architectural Foundation is gearing up to celebrate the best and the worst in local design with their annual Orchids & Onions awards. This cherished event highlights creativity, innovation, and sometimes the questionable choices in our built environment.

What to Expect This Year

This year’s event promises to be especially captivating, as it marks the inclusion of Tijuana in the nominations for the first time in decades, coinciding with the conclusion of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024. With nearly 100 nominees vying for recognition, we can expect a showcase of fresh ideas and some notable design blunders.

Orchid Nominees: Celebrating the Best

The Orchid nominees this season are a testament to San Diego’s architectural prowess, showcasing stunning designs across various categories. Here are some of the standout contenders:

• Dwellings at Bowery Canyon - A harmonious blend of fire-resistant concrete-block buildings set amidst beautiful canyon views.
• Fox Point Farms - A sustainable agrihood in Encinitas that features a zero-waste restaurant, organic brewery, and a vibrant farm-stand market.
• Gravity Heights Microbrewery - Inspired by Tulum, this Mission Valley gem incorporates vibrant colors and plant forms, creating an exotic ambiance.
• The Nash - A luxury mixed-use development that stands tall at seven stories along Park Boulevard.
• 3Roots Community Center - A public space that emphasizes sustainability while retaining an industrial aesthetic, complete with a mature tree rising through its roof.

Onion Nominees: A Call for Improvement

• Stormwater Infrastructure - Drawing attention to the environmental damage and community blight during heavy rains.
• Intrusive Bike Lane - A controversial feature in North Park/South Park that poses risks for all road users.
• Captain Morgan Billboard - Criticized as a “massive monstrosity” disrupting the Gaslamp Trolley Station’s aesthetic.

A Look Ahead

While winners will be announced at the festivities on October 3rd, the anticipation has already sparked conversations about architectural integrity and community spaces. Will those behind the Onion nominations attend the awards? Their presence could signify a commitment to improvement.

For more information about the event and to secure your tickets, check online resources. Let’s celebrate good design and challenge the bad!

What do you think?

• Which Orchid nominee do you think deserves the win and why?
• Are Onion nominees being unfairly targeted, or do they truly deserve the criticism?
• How can the San Diego community better engage with architecture and design decisions?
• Should Tijuana's inclusion in the Orchids & Onions be a permanent feature?
• Is the focus on sustainability in architecture overhyped or necessary for our future?