NEW YORK -- Dwell Media and Sub-Zero announce the winner of the Rethinking Preservation contest in conjunction with Dwell's February Inspired Renovation issue. The winner, the Union Depot in Keokuk, IA, was designed at the turn of the 20th century by renowned Chicago architectural firm Burnham and Root. The Depot is distinguished by its Romanesque Revival architecture and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The winning entrant, Christen Sundquist, a historic preservation graduate student at the Art Institute of Chicago, says she hopes it will be restored to its past glory. "When I saw that Dwell and Sub-Zero were hosting a competition aimed toward preservation, it really got my heart racing. It was a chance to let people learn that there is a Burnham and Root depot where they would least expect it. As a preservationist, I am torn that there was only one winner. There were a lot of great buildings that I hope get more recognition now."

Dwell and Sub-Zero conceived the contest together, based on a shared value of preservation. Together Dwell and Sub-Zero will award $10,000 to an organization that is overseeing the preservation and rehabilitation of the Depot. The decision of which organization will receive the funds is currently being evaluated.

"Dwell is thrilled to see a building like this win by popular vote," said Dwell Editor-in-Chief Amanda Dameron. "Great design and architecture is based on the great precedents of the past, and this building by John Root and Daniel Burnham is an important part of America's architectural history."

The contest ran on Dwell.com from Dec. 23- Feb. 20; 118 individual landmarks were submitted and over 70,000 votes were tallied. The Depot received more than 6,000 votes. Other top-voted entries included the San Francisco Women's Building, in SF, CA; the 1903 Chase Stone Barn, in Oconto City, WI; Biff's Coffee Shop, in Oakland, CA; the NY State Inebriate Asylum, in Binghamton, NY; The William R. Thorsen House, in Berkley, CA; the 9th Avenue Terminal, in Oakland, CA; the Ward Hall Greek Revival Mansion, in Georgetown, KY; the Israel Stowell Temperance House, in Delavan, WI; and the Fishtown Preservation Society, in Leland, MI.

"While Sub-Zero is the food preservation specialist, we also recognize and appreciate design, whether a kitchen, home, or in this case an American landmark," said Michele Bedard, vice president of marketing for Sub-Zero and Wolf. "It's particularly gratifying to be part of the effort to renew the Keokuk Union Depot and we look forward to the day that restoration is complete." For her keen eye and enthusiasm Sundquist wins a $4,000 Sub-Zero wine storage unit and the admiration of her local community.

Stay turned for more on "Rethinking Preservation" in an upcoming Dwell.com and Sub-Zero exclusive video due out in May.

Source: Dwell Media