Holyoke Center's renovators shouldn't hold their breath.

While other Harvard "landmarks" have been criticized as concrete monstrosities, expert architects this fall honored the DeWolfe Street dormitory as an elegant, contemporary structure that meshes with its environment.

"While contextual, this building wasn't forced at all," jurors said. "It fits into the neighborhood like it just sort of flowed out of the pencil."

The New England Regional Council of theAmerican Institute of Architects honored DeWolfewith one of 15 awards for excellence.

The recipients were selected by a jury of fourprominent architects from New York.

Victor Ortale, the project designer for DeWolfeat Goody, Clancy & Associates, said his goal indesigning DeWolfe in 1988 was "to present abuilding that was compatible to its surroundings."

"If you stood in front of [DeWolfe] and turnedaround 360 degrees," members of the jury said,"You would see all of those pieces in otherbuildings, which is why it is such a natural fit."

Some of the features that allow the twinsix-story structures to adapt so well include thebay windows, the low height, and the lead-coatedcopper mansard roofs, Ortale said.

Because the designers overcame the challenge ofrelating the older buildings in the area withDeWolfe's contemporary style, "It is probably thebest building you could get in Cambridge," Ortalesaid.

Residents of DeWolfe agreed that clogged drainsaside, the facade is pleasing.

"It's very user-friendly, and makes life veryenjoyable for the resident." Jess C. Brown '95said. "The outside is nice, but you don't breakyour neck looking at it twice."

DeWolfe resident R. Christopher Berdik '96agreed that the structures did not disrupt theneighborhood, and said "It's definitely notLeverett Towers.