By Healthcare Facilities Today

Rush University Medical Center's boldly-sculpted hospital tower was one of the structures honored by the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects at its annual design excellence awards, according to an article on the Chicago Tribune website.

Jurors from around the country and Chicago selected winners from 269 entries in four categories: distinguished building, interior architecture, divine detail and sustainability leadership. Projects completed within the past five years were eligible, which accounts for why buildings like the Rush University tower, which opened in late 2011, are being honored this year, according to the article.

The highest form of recognition, an honor award, will go to four projects in the distinguished building category including the Rush University tower by Perkins+Will. Its curvilinear bed tower has created a new landmark along the Eisenhower Expressway.

"This building is in the spirited form of Goldberg. It looks like Chicago," one juror said of the Rush project, referring to the late architect Bertrand Goldberg, whose cloverleaf-shaped, former Prentice Women's Hospital is being demolished by its owner, Northwestern University.

Read the article.