Close, but no Cigar (or iPad)

I previously mentioned Architectural Record magazine’s Show Us Your Record Collection contest, which I entered because I thought it would be fun. I knew I had no chance winning a prize in the Oldest Issue or Largest Collection categories(1). On the other hand, I figured I had an outside shot at winning the Most Creative Presentation category. The prize if I won? An Apple iPad, something I’ve coveted. I know I would put an iPad to good use.

The editors of Architectural Record announced the winners of the contest earlier this week. And the winner of the Most Creative Presentation category was . . . not me. I was selected first runner-up.

The Most Creative Presentation prize was awarded to James R. Kirkpatrick, FAIA, of the eponymously named Kirkpatrick Architecture Studio of Denton, Texas. He photographed his collection of Architectural Record issues dating back to October 1972 surrounded by all of the members of his firm born since then. I have to admit, that’s pretty clever.

To be honest, I actually was pleasantly surprised that I was even in the running. I expected tough competition.

Regarding my entry, the editors wrote “First Runner Up: Randy Nishimura, AIA, of Eugene, Oregon took his collection out for some fresh air and then wrote a blog post about our contest: My Architectural Record Collection.”

I think having written a blog post about the contest contributed to my submission’s high ranking. The incongruous setting and decidedly geometric composition (note how my crossed leg neatly parallels the ranked formation of magazine holders) may have also played their parts.

Like the old saying goes, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. All the glory (and the iPad) goes to the winner and James Kirkpatrick deserved to win. On the other hand, I managed to have a little fun, which is priceless.

(1) The Oldest Issue category was won by Milan Liptak of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Milan submitted a photo of 395 issues from his collection, including an edition from 1891. His image also featured copies of RECORD from 1918 and 1956 as well as 1991’s centennial issue (my oldest issue dates from 1976). The Largest Collection prize went to Jonathan Haas of Birmingham, Alabama’s Davis Architects. Jonathan submitted an image of firm president Neil Davis with the office collection of every Architectural Record issue going back to 1939 (my collection is somewhere north of 400 issues strong).