The 2019 AIA Jury of Fellows elevated 115 AIA members to its prestigious College of Fellows, an honor awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the profession of architecture. Four AIA Pennsylvania members are among the class of 115. The Fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Election to fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of architects as individuals but also their significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level.
Out of a total AIA membership of over 94,000, fewer than four percent of members are distinguished with the honor of fellowship and honorary fellowship. The elevation to fellowship is conferred on architects with at least 10 years of membership in the AIA in one or more of the following nomination categories:
- Promoted the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession
- Advanced the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training or practice
- Coordinated the building industry and the profession of architecture through leadership in the AIA and other related professional organizations
- Advanced the living standards of people through an improved environment
- Made the profession of ever-increasing service to society
The four newly elevated fellows (picture left to right), their component affiliation, and nomination category are as follows:
- Michael Johns, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP Principal at Mdesigns + MWJ Consulting | Philadelphia | AIA Philadelphia, Government
- Dominique M. Hawkins FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP Principal at Preservation Design Partnership | Philadelphia | AIA Philadelphia, Preservation
- Louis A. Meilink, Jr. FAIA, ACHA, ACHE Principal at Ballinger| Philadelphia | AIA Philadelphia, Practice (Technical Advancement)
- Christine Mondor, FAIA, LEED AP, EcoDistricts AP Principal at evolveEA| Pittsburgh | AIA Pittsburgh, Service to Society
Additionally, the AIA granted honorary membership to three individuals their exemplary service to the architecture profession. Honorary AIA Membership is conferred upon individuals who have made notable contributions to the advancement of the architecture profession but are not otherwise eligible for AIA membership. In order to be considered for honorary membership, candidates must meet a host of criteria.
Philadelphia based honoree, Richard J. Davies, Hon. AIA, Partner at MMP&S (Milber, Makris, Plousadis, and Seiden) was one of only three national Honorary AIA recipients this year. As an AE attorney, Rich has built his service on a deep understanding of and appreciation for the roles architects play in shaping our communities. Through his daily practice and an uncanny skill with contract documents, he educates and protects owners and developers while providing his architect clients with a clear path to successful projects. Rich’s contributions to the profession in Pennsylvania are largely unmatched.
The 2019 Fellows will be honored at an investiture ceremony at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2010 (A’19) in Las Vegas on June 7. Additionally, AIA Pennsylvania will be hosting our annual Alumni and Fellows Reception honoring the newly inducted Pennsylvania fellows and celebrating the alumni of Pennsylvania’s seven NAAB accredited schools.
REGISTER FOR THE A’19 AIA PENNSYLVANIA ALUMNI & FELLOWS RECEPTION
Read on below to learn more about Pennsylvania’s 2019 class of Fellows and their contributions to society and the profession:
Michael Johns, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP
Principal, Mdesigns + MWJ Consulting | Philadelphia
AIA Philadelphia, Government
Michael Johns, a licensed architect and native of Philadelphia, established his firm Mdesigns + MWJ Consulting LLC in 2007 as a Philadelphia based Architecture, Planning and Development consulting firm specializing in assisting Public and Private sector clients in residential, retail and commercial development related activities. Mr. Johns is licensed to practice architecture in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Simultaneously, while running his own practice, Mr. Johns also provided over 25 years of service to the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), where he transitioned from in September of 2017 to focus solely on his firm. During his tenure at the Philadelphia Housing Authority, he was successful in various executive leadership roles including Senior Executive Vice President, overseeing PHA’s Capital Projects, Development, and Design Initiatives. Mr. Johns also served in the capacities of Chief Operating Officer and Executive General Manager for Operations. Prior to that, he was General Manager of Community Development and Design. While at PHA he was responsible for the master planning, design and development of over $2 Billion in new and renovated multifamily housing including recreational, commercial and office facilities.
Mr. Johns brings to Mdesigns + MWJ Consulting LLC a completive edge due to his knowledge and expertise in planning, designing, developing and navigating large scale multi-million dollar projects through very complex governmental, regulatory and political processes. Mdesigns + MWJ Consulting LLC is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and certified Disadvantaged Business enterprise (DBE).
Mr. Johns is a graduate of Temple University and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-accredited professional. He served as a Commissioner on Philadelphia’s City Zoning Code reform Commission where he helped rewrite and modernize the antiquated code. He was an inaugural member and currently still sits on Philadelphia’s Civic Design Review Committee, which is responsible for assessing the proposed characteristics and quality of the public realm that is an integral part of any large development project. Mr. Johns is also on the advisory board of Philadelphia’s Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), an organization which provides technical and financial support to local grassroots partners and developers. He also is a member of the advisory council for the Community Design Collaborative, and he is a member of the Urban Land Institute where he sits on the subcommittee on housing.
Philadelphia’s current Mayor recently appointed Mr. Johns to Philadelphia’s Land Bank Board, a board which is responsible for the disposition/use of land owned by the city. He was also recently appointed by Philadelphia’s City Council President to Philadelphia’s first Rebuild Design Excellence Sub-Committee, which is responsible for ensuring that city-sponsored significant park and recreation facility redevelopment projects meet the highest standards for quality impactful design.
In the fall of 2018, Mr. Johns was nominated by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Philadelphia Chapter for elevation to the College of Fellows. AIA Fellows are recognized with the AIA's highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. Architects who have made significant contributions to the profession and society and who exemplify architectural excellence can become a member of the AIA College of Fellows.
Mr. Johns received the 2018 Julian Able award from the National Organization of Minority Architects, Philadelphia Chapter (Phila-NOMA) for his signification positive impact on Philadelphia’s neighborhoods over the past 25 years. This was only the second time the award was given in the organization's twenty-five year history.
Mr. Johns was also a founding member and a past president of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. He is a registered member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Pennsylvania Society of Architects; and member of the former committee on Inclusionary Zoning for Philadelphia; and former Board of Director for the Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVCBC); and member of the Building Code Institute.
In addition, for more than two decades Mr. Johns has lectured and provided training on affordable housing development and design, along with planning in urban neighborhoods.
Mr. Johns’ dedication, commitment, and integrity speak for itself when one witnesses the positive outcomes from the influence he has had over the revitalization of many of Philadelphia’s poorest and often forgotten neighborhoods.
Dominique M. Hawkins FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Principal, Preservation Design Partnership| Philadelphia
AIA Philadelphia, Preservation
In 1995, Dominique established PDP as a planning and design practice focusing exclusively on offering high-quality professional services for clients with nationally significant historic sites and buildings. From small projects, such as the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service at Philadelphia University to multi-million dollar undertakings, such as the Cincinnati Union Terminal, Dominique's work has maintained the highest standards of planning, design and preservation, resulting in long-lasting relationships, some of which span for over a decade of continuous involvement and service.
One of the unique dimensions in Dominique's portfolio is her nationally recognized and pioneering work in developing Design Guidelines for historic communities and districts throughout the country, including the 14 Historic Districts of New Orleans; Newton, Massachusetts; Oak Park, Illinois and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to name a few. Through this work, Dominique has developed unique skills in working with client groups, stakeholders and community leaders in shaping projects, achieving consensus and reaching conclusions in an efficient way.
Dominique's biggest strength, however, is her ability to organize a project and systematically sequence a well-structured approach to reach a successful conclusion. Some of the most recognizable projects that have benefited from her organizational and execution skills include: the preparation of the Master Plan for the Cincinnati Museum Center at the Cincinnati Union Terminal; the preparation of Construction Documents for the Virginia State Capitol (as consultant to HillierARCHITECTURE); the documentation of the Jeffersonian Millwork at the Virginia State Capitol; and the coordination of the Construction Documents for the refurbishment of the three iconic buildings at Independence National Historical Park.
Dominique has served as the Preservation Officer for the Lower Merion Township (1997 - 2014) and Morris County, NJ (2003 - present), chairs the Architectural Committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and is a member of the full Historical Commission. Her work has been recognized with several preservation and design awards.
Louis A. Meilink, Jr. FAIA, ACHA, ACHE
Principal, Ballinger| Philadelphia
AIA Philadelphia, Practice (Technical Advancement)
Since joining Ballinger in 1987, Lou Meilink’s design solutions have helped shape the future of healthcare at academic medical centers, regional and community hospitals and healthcare networks. His approach to each initiative is comprehensive and his professionalism is consummate. He works closely with clients to develop facility solutions and translate highly complex project concepts into simple terms. His orientation toward client service and delivery of high-quality, cost-effective projects has brought him recognition from healthcare institutions as well as his peers. Lou is an author and speaker for organizations such as the Center for Health Design, the American Institute of Architects, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and Tradeline. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Architects and the Academy of Architecture for Health. Lou earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Kansas State University.
Christine Mondor, FAIA, LEED AP, EcoDistricts AP
Principal, evolveEA| Pittsburgh
AIA Pittsburgh, Service to Society
Christine is an eternal optimist regarding the power of design in shaping a sustainable environment. Christine has been active in shaping places, processes and organizations nationally and internationally for over fifteen years through her work as an architect, educator, and activist. Her diverse experience enables her to note trends and bring benefit across project types, from design of buildings and landscapes to educational efforts to sustainability planning. As strategic Principal of evolveEA and a registered architect, Christine brings creative and strategic solutions to projects as diverse as the award winning design of the “extended stay” house to the developing the business case for sustainability at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. She is experienced at helping communities, schools and other agencies build capacity as they navigate sustainability through strategic planning and project implementation.
Christine has taught architecture, landscape design and sustainability concepts at Carnegie Mellon University, Slippery Rock University, and at Chatham College. She supports organizations that promote design and the environment and currently serves as Chair of the Pittsburgh Planning Commission, is a former President for the Green Building Alliance Board of Directors, is a member of the Global Ecodistricts Protocol Advisory Committee, the Penn State University Stuckeman School Advisory Board, and is former Board Chair at the Design Center of Pittsburgh. She has been recognized for her leadership and enthusiasm by Pittsburgh Magazine with a Women in Business Award. Christine received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University and studied architecture and sustainable design in Scandinavia. Christine is a registered architect and LEED Accredited Professional, and a 2019 AIA Fellow.