TRENTON—The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects has awarded Trenton-based architecture and planning firm, Clarke Caton Hintz, with a Merit award in the Interior Architecture category of its annual Design Day Competition. The award was given to CCH for the historic preservation and renovation of the firm's third floor office at the Trenton Masonic Temple, located at 100 Barrack St. in Trenton.
CCH discovered the unfinished third floor of the Trenton Masonic Temple while working with the Masons to prepare a long-term preservation strategy for the 80-year-old building. The Grand Lodge of New Jersey, the statewide Masonic organization, acquired the building in 2004 for the purposes of restoring and managing its use. During the preservation work, CCH realized the potential of the third floor and decided to undertake the renovation project for the firm's new headquarters.
The Trenton Masonic Temple was originally constructed in 1927 to house five lodges. The Neoclassical limestone building is one of the last original Masonic Lodge facilities in the state.