The New Urban Guild selected the Bennett corporate achievement award
"Amber Blaze" for the newly created Barranco Award, a recognition award they established in honor of respected architect Michael Barranco. The Barranco Award is awarded to New Urban Guild members who meet best exhibit the following:
- A mastery of traditional architecture of the highest quality with a commitment to strengthening the power of community by connecting people – physically, emotionally, and spiritually;
- An understanding of the role of Place in all its dimensions, including the dimensions of Climate and Culture, and how the individual is affected by the region, community, block, building, and space.
- A gift for building enduring relationships “Beyond Architecture”, inspiring passionate coalitions for transformative change in the lives of families and communities, and, further, unselfishly not caring who gets the credit.
In 2011, the inaugural recipient of the Barranco Award was Michael Barranco (posthumously). Michael Barranco’s widow, Jene Ray Barranco, accepted the achievement award on his behalf at a recognition awards ceremony held November 6, 2011 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The achievement award was presented by Ocean Springs architect Bruce Tolar, architect/developer of the Cottage Springs neighborhood in Ocean Springs, and a member of the New Urban Guild.