Design Firm Receives Top U.S. Architecture Honor for Downtown Cary Park

• Architecture and urban design firm Machado Silvetti wins prestigious American Architecture Award in 2025 for the Downtown Cary Park design.
• Selected from more than 1,500 submissions covering 27 unique disciplines, the Park is one of only five parks in the nation honored for excellence in architectural design.
• The award highlights the Park's integrated architecture and landscape design, sustainability, and community impact.

Cary, NC - Downtown Cary Park was recently recognized for innovative park design by the 2025 American Architecture Awards, the nation's highest architectural honor. Designed by the Boston-based firm Machado Silvetti in partnership with the Town of Cary, the Park seamlessly integrates landscape and architecture to create a cohesive, contemporary civic destination in the heart of Cary.

"The American Architecture Award is a national recognition of the design achievements of Downtown Cary Park," said Jeffry Burchard, managing partner and principal at Machado Silvetti. "It is a reminder of the importance of community support and collective effort in the pursuit of beautiful and innovative public spaces."

The Downtown Park design was selected for the award from a shortlist of over 1,500 submissions across 27 unique disciplines. It is one of only five parks in the nation recognized by the 2025 American Architecture Award.

One notable achievement of the Park is Machado Silvetti's unified design approach, where architecture and landscape function as one experience. The Park transitions from an urban plaza to natural spaces, creating diverse spatial and ecological conditions across the site.

Equally important to its recognition is the Park's measurable social impact. With more than 750,000 visitors in its first year and over 1,000 events hosted, Downtown Cary Park has become a vibrant hub for recreation, culture, and community connection, demonstrating the power of design to shape public life and strengthen a growing community.

"This recognition reflects the vision and care that went into creating a park that truly belongs to the community," said Joy Ennis, Downtown Cary Park general manager. "Downtown Cary Park was designed to bring people together, and seeing how residents and visitors have embraced the space makes this honor especially meaningful."

Residents and visitors are encouraged to experience the award-winning Downtown Cary Park and discover how thoughtful design, community vision, and public investment are shaping the future of Cary.

Learn more at downtowncarypark.com.

About Downtown Cary Park
More than twenty years in the making, Downtown Cary Park spans seven acres in the heart of Downtown Cary, surrounded by Academy, Walker, Park, and Walnut Streets. Downtown Cary Park is intentionally designed with amenities and programming that everyone can enjoy, from active recreation at Park Street Courts to the respite of the botanical gardens, food and beverage facilities like The Bark Bar, and a grab-and-go market in Academy Pavilion, The Nest Play Area featuring iconic, signature cardinal play structures, and the Great Lawn Pavilion for signature performances.

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