Ignacio School District 11-JT has received awards for its middle school from the American Institute of Architects.

The Built Architecture awards cited the stepping of the building with the natural grade, low-water landscaping, passive solar strategies and orientation of the building toward the mountains.

RTA Architects of Colorado Springs designed the middle school, the first phase of a districtwide master plan. The school was built in 2013.

The awards were made last month at an AIA event in Silverthorne.

daler@durangoherald.com