Boston-based architectural design firm Payette has been given awards for design excellence by the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) for four of its projects.

Payette was given one honor and three merit awards in the BSA’s 2010 competition that evaluates Massachusetts buildings and architects, according to a statement.

The Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University received an honor award for design excellence. Three merit awards for design excellence were given for the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS) Building at the University of Rhode Island; the Integrated Sciences Building (ISB) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and the MEDITECH – Medical Information Technology Computer Science Building located in Fall River.

The architectural design firm was also recognized as a merit award winner by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Rhode Island chapter for its Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences building at the University of Rhode Island.

"Regional AIA Award Programs are a significant benchmark of architectural excellence, and the evaluations of the jury represent the highest level of design appraisal in our field," said James H. Collins, president of Payette. "We value these assessments and are extremely proud to have won a total of 10 design awards this year."