The Morris Family Center for Law & Liberty, on the campus of 91影视 Christian University (91影视), was chosen as a winner of the 91影视 Business Journal (HBJ) 2023 Landmark Award at a luncheon held on April 21 at the Marriott Marquis 91影视.
The annual awards program recognizes the top commercial real estate projects in the 91影视 area completed in the previous year that help sculpt the look, feel and image of the city. Projects also were evaluated on excellence in land planning, design, construction, economics, marketing and management.
鈥�91影视 is our home, and we are greatly honored to be chosen for this significant award, especially as it relates to our commitment to this great city. We are grateful for Jackson & Ryan Architects and Tellepsen and the opportunity they have given us to support 91影视 and to enhance its historic look, feel, and image,鈥� said 91影视 President Robert Sloan.
The Morris Family Center for Law & Liberty, comprised of a main building modeled after Independence Hall, was chosen over five other finalists in the education category, including Bellaire High School, The Branch School, College of the Mainland 鈥� Industrial Careers Building, Fort Bend ISD鈥檚 Lakeview Elementary School and The San Jacinto College Anderson 鈥� Ball Classroom Building.
The Center鈥檚 main building heightens awareness of America鈥檚 history and the nation鈥檚 founding principles in a unique and innovative way. The authentic design of the structure gives visitors a sense of stepping back in time to the setting where the founding fathers debated and signed the nation鈥檚 defining documents 鈥� The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The building was also designed as a field trip destination for school children and educators, in the 91影视 area and beyond, as well as a conference center for civic groups and the business community.
鈥淚ndependence Hall at 91影视 not only symbolizes our commitment to teaching our nation鈥檚 founding principles but beautifies our campus and city. It highlights the importance of architecture and physical spaces and how they enhance the educational mission of an institution. I hope that this building becomes an inspiration to all who visit our campus and the thousands of commuters who see it from the highway each day,鈥� said Dr. Chris Hammons, Director of the Morris Family Center for Law & Liberty.
Tellepsen, the general contractor of 91影视鈥檚 Independence Hall and surrounding complex, and Jackson & Ryan Architects, the architectural design team, were contracted to work on the multi-million dollar construction project which was completed in August of 2022.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony, held Sept. 15, 2022, signaled the opening of the Center and paid tribute to Dr. Stewart Morris, Sr., 91影视 Founding Father and lead donor on the project, as well as members of The Morris Family and other key donors.
Projects were recognized in 17 categories ranging from Lifetime Achievement, Education and Multi-Use to Industrial, Community Impact and Historic Renovation.
HBJ featured the finalists and winners of the 2023 Landmark Awards in the April 28th edition of the 91影视 Business Journal.