Philadelphia Firm Team Members Highlighted for the Preservation of the Home of Pioneering African American Artist
CICADA Architecture/Planning and ISA team members were recently highlighted in the Philadelphia Inquirer for forming the Dox Thrash House Project to raise awareness and funds with the goal of not only saving the historic house but promoting the idea of turning it into a hub for the arts.
Interested in the role of preservation as a force for advancing equitable development and social justice in African American neighborhoods and other communities of color? Check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s report, “Preserving African American Places” >
Strada Announces Retirement and Elevation of New Partners
Ushering in another round of milestones in their 20th anniversary year, Strada has announced the end of year retirement of Edward Shriver, FAIA, a founding Principal of the firm. Helping to manage their growth beyond the 50+ team spanning two-offices, Abigail “Abby” Mountain, Senior Associate (Pittsburgh Office) and George Poulin, Senior Associate (Philadelphia Office) will be elevated to Partners and Owners in the firm effective January 1, 2021.
AIA Philadelphia Introduces 2021 Board of Directors
Congratulations to AIA Philadelphia’s 2021 Board of Directors!
Quarterly AIA Pittsburgh “From the Firms” Highlights
Read on for the newest hires, promotions, awards, and projects.
AIA Pennsylvania Executive Director Featured in Engineering News-Record
Stephen Swarney is featured in ENR MidAtlantic’s City Scoop covering the central Pennsylvania region. Special thanks to the members that contributed their insights – Benedict Dubbs, AIA of Murray Associates Architects and Rich Gribble, AIA, of By Design Consultants.
Todd Woodward Awarded the Community Design Collaborative’s Alan Greenberger Award
The award recognizes an AIA Philadelphia member for their contribution and commitment to the Community Design Collaborative’s mission. The honor was presented to Todd Woodward, AIA, LEED AP, Principal of SMP Architects, during the 2020 AIA Philadelphia Design Awards.
AIA Philadelphia Celebrates 2020 Design & Achievement Awards
Achievement awards celebrated during 2020 AIA Philadelphia Design Awards debut included the following: 2020 John Frederick Harbeson Award, Harris Steinberg, FAIA; the 2020 Paul Philippe Cret Award recipient Betty Jane Turner MA BA CIP, the 2020 Young Architect Award recipients, David Quadrini, AIA, the 2020 Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize recipient Bright Common; and the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Award, Lance Rothstein, AIA.
read on to celebrate all award honorees >
GBBN Names Two New Pittsburgh Office Principals
GBBN, a five-office firm with a Pittsburgh base, has named Amanda Markovic, AIA, and Mick McNutt, AIA, among the firms’ batch of new Principals. Amanda is a design and community leader, AIA Pittsburgh Blueprint for Better Champion, and trusted mentor who fosters inclusive and collaborative teams where all voices can be heard. Mick amplifies GBBN’s voice as a co-creator and mentor for the Design Issues Series and by leading ambitious projects in multiple markets. Congratulations, Amanda and Mick!
Vivian Loftness Interviewed for “Women in Sustainability: Design the Future” Podcast
Vivian Loftness, FAIA, on the critical pull of standards and using the Triple Bottom Line to cost-justify better buildings. Vivian also shares a few items on the list she keeps of things she’d do if she were in charge, including declaring that all buildings be designed for “environmental surfing.”
AIA Pennsylvania Awards Covered by Regional and National Media
Pamela Lucas Rew, FAIA Retires After 40-Year Career Marked by Visionary Design Leadership
Pamela Lucas Rew, FAIA, Partner at KSS Architects, will retire at the close of the 2020 calendar year. Over her 40-year career in architecture, Pam has been a visionary leader steadfast in building a creative, collaborative practice with design excellence at its core. Pam joined KSS in 1990, when it was a fledging local Princeton firm with a staff of 10. Over the past 30 years, Pam’s investment of her time and talent in KSS has helped grow the firm to a community of 80 passionate individuals in three offices with projects across the country. The continued growth and success of the firm is a testament to Pam’s unfailing drive, “What has kept me engaged for so long is a crazy deep passion, as an artist and a collaborator, to make places that are important and beautiful. In finding KSS, I found people and a place with values, talent, and drive, where I could learn, grow, and eventually contribute as a leader.”
AE Works names Design Manager: New Role Focused on Design Innovation
AE Works, a Pittsburgh-headquartered building design and consulting services firm, is excited to announce the appointment of Patrick Rakszawski, AIA to the role of Design Manager.
This new role was announced as AE Works made the prestigious 2020 Architecture 300, the list of the largest Architecture firms in the country. Supporting the firm’s continued growth and specialization, the role will enable design innovation throughout the organization.
As Design Manager, Rakszawski is responsible for leading clients and AE Works design teams through the planning and design process for building projects throughout the company. A champion of design innovation, he leads on establishing the architectural vision for projects and creates opportunities for training to support a culture where design creativity and craftsmanship thrive.
A previous long-tenured architect at AE Works where he launched his career, Rakszawski rejoins the firm after recent experience at a West Coast design firm where he continued to hone his design acumen. Rakszawski brings experience on a diverse range of commercial, healthcare and science and technology projects spanning international corporate headquarters, research laboratories and highly unique spinal cord injury care facilities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Penn State.