EARNED, NOT GIVEN.
The Mortarr Awarrds celebrate the most inspiring pros and brands in the commercial construction and design industry in 2020. Mortarr Awarrds honor subscribers making waves within the industry, and across the globe through their extraordinary work changing the skyline of the built environment and the digital landscape.
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This isn't one of those award show rackets that charges you to enter or forces you to listen to some presenter drone on about why they're amazing and you're not. You don't even have to fly to a host city and make small talk with strangers. Check back on February 8th for the most inspiring digital award show experience you've ever attended.
MMXXI WINNERS
ANNOUNCED
February 8, 2021 — 4 p.m. CST
on Instagram Live
TOP INSPIRING PROJECT
JAW-DROPPING AWARRD
You hear that? It’s the sound of shock and awe. In order to win this Awarrd, a project has to be able to drop a few jaws through the sheer power of commercial construction and design. The winning project needs to blow us away not only through each individual photo, but the entire series as a cohesive unit. Now please excuse us as we pick ourselves off the floor.
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TOP INSPIRING PHOTO
HEAD-TURNER AWARRD
Say, cheese! Capturing the essence of a project in one single image is a tall task, but the subscriber who wins this Awarrd rises to the occasion. They nail the project, the lighting, the angle, and all the little things it takes to make a space feel alive. The process is intensive but the result is impressive. It definitely makes us smile.
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MOST INSPIRING PORTFOLIO
SHARP SHOOTER AWARRD
Ready. Aim. Fire. Creating the perfect project gallery from beginning to end takes a keen attention to detail. This Awarrd celebrates that dedication. A gallery or showroom should tell the story of what products and pros can bring a space to life. When it comes to capturing this in all their images, it’s safe to say that the companies up for this Awarrd never miss their mark.
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MOST ENGAGING PROFILE
HIGH PROFILE AWARRD
We got pros and brands in high places! This Awarrd recognizes the chart-topping accomplishment of creating an amazing company profile from top to bottom. We can’t overstate the skill it takes to curate a profile that will draw visitors from all over Mortarr’s site and the commercial construction and design industry. From pictures to keywords, no detail is overlooked.
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MOST COLLABORATIVE COMPANY
TAG! YOU'RE IT! AWARRD
No one should have to go it alone, and this Awarrd recognizes the company most committed to working with others, and giving credit where credit is due. It requires collaboration to get your product into great projects and luckily Mortarr provides the very tools to do just that! The nominees of this Awarrd know you have to work with the best to be the best.
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TOP COLLABORATION PROJECT
MOST MORTARRIEST AWARRD
When credit is given where credit is due the results are glorious. This Awarrd goes to the project and collaborators that understand the importance of sharing the spotlight with everyone and everything it took to bring a beautiful space together. This project is the ideal example of what makes Mortarr special. It’s an incredible commercial project with all the information on the pros and products that made it happen.
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BEST NEW PRODUCT
MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT
The lineup just got better. This Awarrd goes to the brand with a product launch that has the whole crowd cheering. Fresh, innovative, and downright stunning- these companies brought us to our feet. Game on.
TOP STARRED PHOTO
POLARIS AWARRD
The data doesn’t lie. The companies responsible for this project photo are the stars of the commercial industry. Across the entire collection of 22,000+ project photos on Mortarr, this single photo one was starred the most times by users in 2019.
MOST VIEWED PHOTO
ALL EYES ON YOU AWARRD
No tradeshows? No problem. This Awarrd goes to the company with the single photo that gained the most exposure on Mortarr. They upped their digital ante with this project/product photo and the audience appreciated the effort from the comfort of their laptop. They impressed the world without stepping foot in an exhibitor hall and were rewarded handsomely.
MOST FOLLOWED COMPANY
KILLER COATTAILS AWARRD
By design, you can’t tell how many followers a company has on Mortarr. That’s right, we were doing it before Instagram. We don’t want Mortarr to be another popularity contest. We’ve leveled the playing field so the best work. The best products. The best pros win. Regardless of size. Then again, we did want to tip our caps to the company that’s drawn the ire of more followers than any other. Just once a year.
MOST ECO-FRIENDLY PROJECT
GREENEST AWARRD
Our Greenest Project Awarrd goes to the project and subscriber whose work not only benefits individuals and the businesses who inhabit the buildings, but the environment itself. It’s not enough to be green; you need to be the greenest of greens.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
DO-GOODER AWARRD
Minor Myers, Jr., said it best — “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” Our Do-Gooder Awarrd, goes to the project and subscribers whose crazy good skills don’t just apply to paying customers, but to the world at large and they actively seek out opportunities to make a difference not only in their industry, but in their communities.
INDUSTRY INFLUENCER
THE MORTIE AWARRD
Staus quo? This winner says, “Status no.” The Mortie Awarrd goes to a company or individual in the commercial construction and design community that’s making North Shore Oahu size waves in the industry. The winner of this Awarrd is strapping in, buckling down, and helping to lead the revolution for better commercial design for all.
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MOST UPDATED PROFILE
CHARLIE HUSTLE AWARRD
A lot of hustle, a lot of heart. This Awarrd goes to the company that chose to maximize efforts for maximum payoff. Internally chosen by the team at Mortarr, we're naming the company that understands grabbing the future by the pixels. Increased profile engagement, added galleries, company invites, additional brand tags, and the desire to run the digital marathon with strength and style.
TOP STUDENT PROJECT
CRANE KICK AWARRD
Mr. Miyagi has taught you well, Daniel-son. This Awarrd goes to a student who has shown incredible chops and impeccable promise as demonstrated by their project submission in the Mortarr in the Classroom contest. This student has truly become a master of their respective field of study. Up next, a bright future with lots of ass-kicking projects ahead.
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Vortex Tower | Maria Emilia Pozo + Prajakta Gharpure, Illinois School of Architecture
Play On | Rachel Ayella-Silver, Drexel University
NEXT | elisabet Islas, Madison Area Technical College
Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry | Bridget Schiltz, VMC
Canteen & Indigenous Australian Cooking School | Lauren Main, UniSA
Blue Hole Reimagined | Emily Dauskurdas + Michelle Kishinevsky, University of Texas
Immersive Spaces | Meagan Edwards, Auburn University
6 Solomon St: Canteen | Nicholas Sotero, University of South Australia
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BEST SOCIAL PRESENCE
TOP SOCIALITE AWARRD
Whether it's tweeting, pinning, liking, or snapping, developing a following is these finalists' calling. This Awarrd celebrates the company social networking its way to the top of the commercial construction and design world with unique content, beautiful imagery, and witty conversations.
BEST WEBSITE
POWERFUL PIXELS AWARRD
Websites are everywhere. Even cat grandmas have websites to show off their latest cat pajamas, and for just $9.99 per month on GoBuildAWebsite.com. The more and more websites we see, the more and more they’ve started to feel the same and left us longing for something different. This Awarrd salutes the subscriber who stretches the limits of their website beyond what’s expected. They combine thoughtful design, interesting storytelling, and beautiful imagery to make the world wide web a better place.
BEST LOGO
LEGENDARY LOGO AWARRD
A key element of a company's brand identity is its logo. A logo is the audience's first impression, forming an opinion and lasting memory of what the company is all about. Clean and modern. Warm and playful. Serious and motivated. Look at a logo, and you immediately begin to evaluate the brand before you even see the quality of the work or the beauty of the products. This Awarrd is selected not only on how cool or sleek or neat a logo is, but how well it communicates the brand's value on a deeper level.
TOP OVERALL BRANDING
DAN WIEDEN AWARRD
The Dan Wieden Awarrd is named after one of the great brand builders of our time. He famously coined Nike's "Just Do It." tagline and helped make countless unknown brands household names. This Awarrd goes to the subscriber with the most impactful marketing and overall brand presence on and off the Mortarr platform. It's the equivalent of the Academy Award for Best Picture. You have to do everything right to win.
JUDGES
We set out to assemble a panel of judges unlike the world has ever seen. Queue the music. Like any good team-building scene, we music montaged our way through an action sequence and recruited some of the brightest minds in commercial design, marketing, and photography to help give credit where credit is due. Meet the team that'll save the world from mediocrity.
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DISCLAIMER: Judges are not allowed to weigh in on categories when their own firm is nominated as a Finalist. Just saying, we’re keeping it fair.
MOST ENGAGING SOCIAL PHOTO
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARRD
Likes, shares, loves, follows, and comments galore. The people of the big 4 social networks have spoken and this commercial project photo speaks their language. The winner of a social media fan vote takes home this click worthy prize.
JESSIE HOULIHAN
PRESIDENT, STAHL
Jessie is responsible for developing and implementing corporate strategies that provide for long-term sustainable management and client satisfaction. Her background in marketing, communications, and business position her to be an effective leader at Stahl.
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She earned her degree in environmental science, policy and management with a second major in professional journalism and technical communications from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she also completed the mini-MBA Executive Program through Carlson School of Business Management.
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Jessie is typically the lead contact for clients and partners. She is involved in communicating with stakeholders and monitoring projects to ensure client value is maximized and the Stahl team is resourced and supported in a way that ensures top performance. She directs efforts throughout projects with special emphasis on alignment of goals and objectives.
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Jessie serves on the Young Leaders Executive Committee and co-chairs the Resilient Communities Product Council for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) of Minnesota. She also serves as a mentor for the ULI Mentor Program and has participated in the Minnesota/St. Paul Business Journal Meet Your Mentor Program: BizWomen Mentoring Monday. In 2017, Jessie was selected as an Honoree for the Women Who Lead in the Minnesota Business Magazine. Most recently, Jessie was selected by the Twin Cities Business magazine as one of the ‘100 People to Know in 2019.’ She consistently strives to build with resiliency and pursue projects which will have a lasting, positive impact within our communities.
CHRISTINE FRISK, ASID
OWNER + PRINCIPAL DESIGNER, INUNISON DESIGN
As the owner of InUnison Design and FUSE showroom in International Market Square, Christine brings her signature mix of passion and process to every project.
Whether Christine is designing an innovative workplace, a light-filled modern home, or a European-style passive house, her work is always guided by the understanding that great design has the power to transform the human condition.
A leader in the Twin Cities commercial and residential design community, Christine is a past president of the Minnesota Interior Design Legislative Action Committee. She's also the former president, vice-president, and committee chair of ASID Minnesota. Christine is active in the Business Women's Circle, and a mentor to design students at the University of Minnesota and other schools.
When Christine's not in the studio or on a job site, she donates her time to Gilda's Club, ASID Minnesota, and other non-profits. She also loves doing yoga, finding original art at the MCAD Art Sale, and going to outdoor rock concerts with her husband Ron.
Christine and Ron also love discovering design inspiration and memorable meals in Spain, Italy, Mexico, and other fun-loving countries. Christine and Ron have three grown children and an ever-expanding collection of contemporary furniture, original art, and photography.
TIM BOUCHARD
OWNER + CEO, LUMINUS
Owner / CEO of Luminus, a creative agency in Buffalo, NY focused on digital. Host of the Building Brands podcast, a podcast dedicated to building materials / products branding and marketing conversations. During 15 plus years in the advertising and creative industries, Tim has experiences in creative teams, freelancing, and owning an agency. He also served as President of AAF Buffalo from 2016-2018 and is currently serving on the AAF National Board of Directors as Division II Chair.
JOSH TAYLOR
BRAND DIRECTOR, SIXINCH® USA
Josh Taylor is the Brand Director for SIXINCH® USA and co-founder of Xtract Energy.
In his current role as Brand Director for SIXINCH, Josh leads strategic marketing efforts to drive top-line revenue along with growing brand awareness. Using creative and outside-the-box approaches, Josh is able to connect multiple channels to create unique stories and collaborations that are then infused into the furniture DNA.
Before joining SIXINCH in December 2016, Josh served as Marketing Director for Polywood LLC, a 100 million dollar outdoor sustainable furniture company, and Promotions Manager for WSBT-TV, a market 96 television station.
Josh’s specialties include brand building/awareness, social media, digital media, videography, photography, graphic design, copywriting/PR, consumer behavior, and omnichannel marketing campaigns.
Josh holds an associate degree from Ivy Tech and is a 5-time Mario Kart cup winner.
SAM GUMIENY
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING + EVENTS, BARN LIGHT ELECTRIC
Samantha is the Director of Marketing and Events for Barn Light Electric, a Florida-based residential and commercial lighting manufacturer with customers around the globe. Equipped with a degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, she is responsible for building the company's online brand, executing all internal and external marketing efforts, and identifying new and innovative ways to align Barn Light Electric for success.
CHRIS BLISSETT
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING +
ASSOCIATE, EMANUELSON-PODAS CONSULTING ENGINEER
At Emanuelson-Podas, Christopher spearheads efforts to create and deliver a superior brand experience for the company’s clients and partners. Drawing on his extensive agency experience in graphic design, advertising and brand management, he crafts outreach initiatives that capture attention and drive personal connection. A firm believer in the great value of “what if?” questions, he considers himself lucky to work alongside engineering colleagues who patiently tolerate his many misses and appreciate his occasional hits.
GRETA NORRIS
PROJECT MANAGER, DJR ARCHITECTURE
Greta’s passion for architecture began on a high school mission trip to Haiti, where she saw a huge need for housing and few solutions that took the community’s needs into consideration. This experience sparked Greta’s interest in housing and urban planning as a means of forming better communities. A recently licensed architect at DJR Architecture, Greta has participated in the design of various mixed-use housing projects.
DAVID W. HENSLEY, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
PRINCIPAL, HENSLEY LAMKIN RACHEL, INC.
During his 29 years of architectural design experience, David Hensley has had the opportunity to work on transit-oriented design, urban infill housing, mixed-use communities and university campuses across the country. As LEED AP, David is focused on integrating sustainable design and green building into all the firm's projects. David has been recognized with more than a dozen design awards from organizations including the National Association of Home Builders and the American Institute of Architects.
David received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.
