Hillandale Local Park Pavilion Wins 2025 AIA Potomac Valley Design Excellence Merit Award

SILVER SPRING, MD – We're proud to celebrate the Hillandale Local Park Pavilion's 2025 Merit Award in the Small Projects category at the AIA Potomac Valley Excellence in Design Awards. In collaboration with Winstanley Architects & Planners, our team provided comprehensive structural engineering services to deliver resilient design solutions for this playful freestanding pavilion.

Structura played a key role in the design and construction of the new picnic shelter structures, ensuring they complemented the park’s functionality and natural surroundings. Structural framework was designed to support the pavilion’s dynamic double-pitched roof— inspired by the rolling "hill and dale" landscape—while integrating seamlessly with existing amenities and a comprehensive structural analysis was conducted to meet rigorous safety standards and environmental requirements, particularly near sensitive land and the Paint Branch tributary. Using sustainable materials, durable, weather-resistant supports on shallow footings were created to enhance accessibility for community picnics, play, and gatherings.

The AIA Potomac Valley Excellence in Design Awards recognize projects that improve the built environment through innovative design, and we’re honored to partner with Winstanley Architects & Planners, Montgomery Parks, Dustin Construction, and Parker Rodriguez.

View the full 2025 Winners Gallery

Client: Winstanley Architects & Planners
‍Structural Engineer: Structura, Inc.
Landscape Architect: Parker Rodriguez
Photography: Anice Hoachlander