AIA Pennsylvania has announced its Annual Architectural Excellence Design and Special Awards recipients. Over 54 firms and individuals across the Commonwealth were honored for excellence in design and innovation, contributions to the profession of Architecture and commitment to the quality of life in the built environment. The Architectural Excellence recipients were selected by a jury panel from New Orleans, Louisiana, chaired by internationally acclaimed architect, Jose Alvarez, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP of Eskew+Dumez+Ripple.
2016 Jury Panelists
The winners were selected from over 150 project submissions and unveiled at the 2016 Architectural Excellence Design Awards Gala at the Philadelphia Museum of the Fine Arts on Thursday, November 10th. Photos from the gala can be viewed here.

“It was an honor for myself and Eskew+Dumez+Ripple to chair the 2016 AIA Pennsylvania Design Award jury. The awarded projects all embody the art and intelligence we aspire as designers and the jury was really proud to acknowledge this accomplishment for all of those involved in their creation,” said Alvarez.
In addition, nine special awards were presented including the inaugural Impact Designer Award to The Community Design Collaborative, based in Philadelphia, which offers design professionals the opportunity to provide pro bono preliminary design services to nonprofit organizations.
Pittsburgh Mayor, William Peduto was selected for the Government Award for his contributions to built environment and revitalization of Pittsburgh. AIA Pennsylvania also presented seven student awards to recipients attending PA’s National Architecture Accredited Board schools and the Firms Fostering Emerging Professionals Recognition went to twenty-four Pennsylvania Firms.
The awards program and gala would not be possible without the generous support of the following sponsors:
2016 SILVER SPONSORS
2016 BRONZE SPONSORS
Andersen Windows Inc.
Fenner & Esler
Langan
O’Donnell & Naccarato
Stambaugh Ness
studioi
Wick Fisher White
AIA Pennsylvania would also like to thank our gala entertainment provided by
SPECIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
Impact Designer Award
Community Design Collaborative
The Collaborative’s Design Grants are catalysts for better civic spaces, adaptive reuse projects, and infill development.
This new award is presented to designers that are rooted in the core belief that design can be used to create positive social, environmental & economic change, and focuses on actively measuring impact to inform and direct the design process.
50 Year/Timeless Award
Richards Medical Research Laboratories, Philadelphia (Louis Kahn), 1962
Now a National Historic Landmark in American architecture emphasizing functional and structural expression, Richards re‑established the crafting of architectural form as the chief aesthetic tool of the architect. In this crucial and innovative design, Kahn turned his profession back toward the formal complications lost in International Modernism, reviving the richness which had been a major part of the tradition of Philadelphia architecture.
The 50 year timeless award recognizes a building that has endured the test of time and still resonates with the design community and the public.
Allied Professions Award
TAKTL, Pittsburgh, PA
TAKTL is the exclusive manufacturer of Architectural Ultra High Performance Concrete. TAKTL offers a full line of facade panels and cast elements produced with a proprietary process and formulation that is over four times as strong as traditional precast concrete.
This award is presented for contribution to the built environment to honor those professionals who bring architects’ work into reality and uphold the tenets of design, sustainability and collaboration.
Contribution to the Profession by a Non-Architect Award
The Philadelphia Water Department
The Department is responsible for implementing the 25 year, Green City, Clean Waters program to reduce combined sewer overflows caused by storm water runoff. June 2016 marked the five-year anniversary of Philadelphia’s groundbreaking agreement with state and federal regulatory agencies to take on storm water runoff and combined sewer overflows—a major source of pollution impacting our rivers today—using a program that relies on substantial green infrastructure investments.
This award is presented to recipients for their direct contributions to the profession or other significant disciplines that have a strong influence on Architecture.
Firm Award
Erdy McHenry, Philadelphia, PA
Based in the modernist tradition, Erdy McHenry Architecture is creating an economical, digitally driven method of construction which embraces the purity of material tectonics while revealing the aesthetic of space to create buildings that are recognized for their functionality, programmatic responsiveness, and social, environmental responsibility.
The Architectural Firm Award is presented to a firm that has been a principal force in consistently producing distinguished architecture for a period of at least 10 years.
President’s Award
A.Stevens Krug, AIA, LEED AP | Krug Architects | West Chester, PA
A former AIA PA president, Krug chairs the Climate Change Advisory Committee, a group of sixteen appointed representatives that advises the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Secretary Patrick McDonnell on climate change action plans, greenhouse gas emission inventories, climate change impact assessment reports, voluntary greenhouse gas emissions registries and other climate change related activities. The Committee promotes energy-efficiency statewide through high performance buildings, energy codes and financing, transportation, urban forestry and other initiatives that save money, create jobs, and reduce carbon emissions in Pennsylvania. During Mr. Krug’s tenure, the DEP has published the 2015 Climate Change Action Plan and the 2015 Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment Update.
Krug earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University and graduate studies in Architectural Engineering from Penn State. He is a resident of West Chester, Pennsylvania.
The President’s Award is given in recognition of special contributions to or support of the profession, the business of architecture or the built environment in Pennsylvania.
Government Award
Mayor William Peduto, Pittsburgh, PA
Since William Peduto took office in 2014, he has championed the protection and enhancement of Pittsburgh’s new reputation – maintaining fiscal responsibility, establishing community based development plans, embracing innovative solutions and becoming a leader in green initiatives. Peduto has led a collaborative effort to make Pittsburgh a leading 21st Century city.
The Government Award is given in recognition of significant contributions to, or particular support of, the profession and business of Architecture and/or the built environment.
Medal of Distinction Award
Denise Scott Brown, Honorable FAIA | VSBA Architects and Planners, Philadelphia, PA
Denise Scott Brown is an architect, planner, theorist, writer and educator, whose work in architecture and urban planning has influenced students, architects and planners worldwide. At 85, Denise continues to write, lecture and correspond with architects and students. She has recently designed “Wayward Eye,” an exhibition of her photography for the 2016 Venice Biennale, and is working on a book of the same name.
The Medal of Distinction is the highest award bestowed by AIA Pennsylvania upon a living AIA Pennsylvania member. The recipient shall have made contributions to architecture that transcend local boundaries and have been of benefit to the profession and citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Associate Award
Raymond Bowman, Associate AIA | Pittsburgh, PA
This award recognizes exceptional contributions to the profession by an AIA Pennsylvania Associate member who graduated in the last 10 years and who has demonstrated professional and civic leadership.
Emerging Professional Award
Jeff Pastva, AIA | JDAVIS, Philadelphia, PA
The Emerging Professional Award seeks to recognize the exceptional achievements and future promise of a licensed architect and promote their continuing development.
ARCHITECTURAL EXCELLENCE DESIGN AWARDS
SILVER AWARD
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson | High Meadow
Silver Award for Architecture
HONOR AWARDS
Gensler | The Tower at PNC Plaza
Honor Award for Architecture
MGA Partners | Maltz Performing Arts Center
Honor Award for Historic Preservation
CITATION AWARDS
AE7 | Veterans Place
Citation Award for Impact Design

Ballinger | Science + Engineering Hall
Citation Award for Interior Architecture
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson | New College House at Hill Field
Citation Award for Architecture
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson | Tusen Takk
Honor Award for Architecture
CannonDesign | Cohon University Center Addition
Citation Award for Architecture
DIGSAU | Philadelphia Union Training Center
Citation Award for Historic Preservation
GBBN Architects | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Knoxville Branch Addition and Renovation
Citation Award for Architecture
GBBN Architects | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Beechview Branch
Citation Award for Architecture
Granum A/I | 1900 Market Street Atrium Renovations
Citation Award for Interior Architecture
ISA (Interface Studio Architects, LLC) | Powerhouse
Citation Award for Architecture
ISA (Interface Studio Architects, LLC) | El Chalet
Citation Award for Architecture
ISA (Interface Studio Architects, LLC) | Renewbold
Citation Award for Architecture
JacobsWyper Architects | Swarthmore College Dana-Hallowell Residence Addition
Citation Award for Architecture
KieranTimberlake | Dilworth Park
Citation Award for Architecture
KieranTimberlake | Consortium for Building Energy Innovation
Citation Award for Architecture
KieranTimberlake 841 North American Street | Citation Award for Historic Preservation
Rothschild Doyno Collaborative | the discovery of Bay 4
Citation Award for Regional and Urban Design
Urban Design Build Studio at Carnegie Mellon University | NavADAPT LAB
Citation Award for Impact Design
STUDENT AWARDS
Chandler Archbell | Carnegie Mellon University
John Brian Fullen | Drexel University
Matthew Wieber | Marywood University
Shokofeh Darbari | Penn State University
Clarissa Kelsey | Philadelphia University
Jennifer Yun | Temple University
Alexander Tahinos | University of Pennsylvania
This award recognizes students nominated by the faculty of an accredited architectural school in Pennsylvania to be honored for proficiency in both academics and design. Students were recognized for exceptional scholastic achievement and readiness to take on the challenges and responsibilities of the work environment in an architecture firm.
FIRMS FOSTERING EMERGING PROFESSIONALS
Albert Taus and Associates
PRINCIPAL Albert Taus, AIA, N.C.A.R.B. | EP Albert Taus
Atkin Olshin Schade Architects
PRINCIPAL Michael Schade | EP Paul Avazier
Ballinger
PRINCIPAL Eric Swanson | EP Charlotte DiGiorgio
Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects
PRINCIPAL Robin Walker Breslin | EP Jared Bilsak
Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates
PRINCIPAL Tracy Rohrbaugh | EP Elysia Mikkelsen
Francis Cauffman
PRINCIPAL James Crispino, AIA, NCARB | EP Jana Brink, Assoc. AIA
IKM Incorporated
PRINCIPAL Michael McDonnell | EP Daniel Snider
JDAVIS
PRINCIPAL Neil Gray | EP Chad Atwater
Johnsrud & Associates Architects, LLC
PRINCIPAL Charles A. Johnsrud | EP Julia M. Cauller
KCBA Architects
PRINCIPAL Michael Kelly, AIA | EP Ryan Orr
Linn Architects
PRINCIPAL Steve Tomassetti | EP Alex McDonald
Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.
PRINCIPAL John R. Hill, AIA, LEED AP | EP Anne Magee, Assoc. AIA
Mula Design
PRINCIPAL Joseph Mula, AIA | EP Chris Casserly
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
PRINCIPAL Frank Dittenhafer, FAIA | EP Ryan Shank, AIA
BLTa
PRINCIPAL Nicole M. Dress, AIA, LEED AP | EP Lyly Huyen
Paradigm Architecture LLC
PRINCIPAL Nayan L Shah | EP David Long
PJA Architecture, P.C.
PRINCIPAL Phil Jordan and Christian Jordan | EP Jessica Nonnenman
Richard Levengood Architects
PRINCIPAL Richard Levengood | EP Taylor Denlinger
RLPS Architects
PRINCIPAL David Lobb| EP Carson Parr
Rothschild Doyno Collaborative
PRINCIPAL Daniel Rothschild, AIA | EP Melanie Buzgan Dower, AIA
The Hayes Design Group – Architects
PRINCIPAL Kevin A. Hayes | EP Timothy M. Reidy
USA Architects, Planners + Interior Designers, P.A.
PRINCIPAL Armand T. Christopher Jr., AIA | EP Thomas Chambers
WRT
PRINCIPAL Joseph W. Healy, AIA, LEED AP BD+C | EP Jared Edgar McKnight, Assoc. AIA