2020 Architectural Excellence Special Awards Recipient Gallery
AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Special Awards includes recognition of significant achievements by members, citizen architects, non-members, civic and government leaders, allied professionals, and member firms who contribute to the built environment and the advancement of the profession in the Commonwealth. The AIA Pennsylvania membership at large, nearly 3,000 members strong, is given the opportunity to nominate individuals or firms for these honors. This year’s ad hoc Special Awards Nomination Committee deliberated on the nine Architectural Excellence Special Awards to put forth a final slate of Architectural Excellence Special Award recipients to the AIA Pennsylvania board for approval. Special Awards Nomination Committee members with conflicts recused themselves from deliberation if a conflict was present in a category. The votes of Special Awards Nomination Committee members and Board members with conflicts were not counted for or against the majority approval votes needed to accept the recipients. Special thanks to this year’s Special Awards Nomination Committee chaired by Jeff Goldstein, FAIA. Jeff and Committee on Design Chair, Bob Kelly, convened committee members Bill Bates, Anne Chen, Chris Dawson, Maggie McManus, Elysia Mikkelsen, Marc Mondor, and Jayne Spector.
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Associate Award | Nickie Cheung, Assoc. AIA
The Associate Award recognizes an AIA Pennsylvania Associate member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, creativity, and significant contributions to their communities, the architecture profession, and the AIA.
Nickie Cheung, Associate AIA, recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Architecture and minors in Intelligent Environments and Architectural History. He is part of the team at the Pittsburgh based firm, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative.
Nickie’s curiosity in everything around him culminated in a year-long thesis project studying non-traditional methods to engage in collaborative and inclusive architectural design processes.
Nickie shares, "When I was applying to colleges, I wrote about two ants that I saw on the ground. One appeared dead, and the other marched around the unmoving ant. After an attempt by the marching ant to lift its fellow ant, the immobile ant regained energy and they left together. Reflecting back, I realize that these ants taught me a lesson of empathy and support for fellow creatures; and it is this lesson that fuels my passion for architecture. Architecture has always served as a means to work toward a more fair and equitable world. I never imagined the community that I have found in the process of doing so, however. The built environment involves collaboration with such a diverse group of actors that can have conflicting interests. To date, my peers and mentors inspire me to challenge the typical ways that architects have been involved in the production of space."
Emerging Professional Award | Monica Blasko, AIA
The Emerging Professional Award seeks to recognize the exceptional achievements and future promise of a licensed architect and to promote their continuing development. Recipients demonstrate design excellence, leadership in practice, leadership in education, and service to the profession and society. The 2020 Emerging Professional Award goes to Monica Blasko, AIA.
As the Pennsylvania Young Architect Regional Director, Monica Blasko has been hard at work with her fellow young architects molding the future of our profession— building upon its strengths, while continually identifying and creatively attacking its shortcomings. She is honored to accept the 2020 Emerging Professional Award as AIA PA strengthens its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives that Monica has been championing. Through her involvement with AIA Pennsylvania, the National AIA Young Architects Forum, AIA Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Young Architects Forum, Women in Design Pittsburgh, and range of work experience, Monica has proven herself to be an adept designer, a collaborative leader, and an accomplished advocate.
Currently a Project Architect at qkArchitecture, she leads a range of project types and scales in a fast-paced, small firm setting. She strives to channel her experiences as a young female architect by mentoring aspiring architects and championing issues that affect the entire architectural community but especially those historically disenfranchised.
Raymond J. Sinagra, AIA, Allied Trades Award
Principal, Fenner & Esler
The Allied Trades Award, renamed in 2019 in honor of Raymond J. Sinagra’s collaborative, whatever-it-takes spirit and dedication to the AEC community, is presented for contributions to the built environment by a contractor, developer, civil engineer, or other allied professional. The award honors those professionals who bring architects’ work into reality and who uphold the tenets of design, sustainability and collaboration. As a principal of Fenner & Esler, Tim Esler is a recognized expert in the field of Professional Liability Insurance and Risk Managementfor Architects and Engineers with over 25 years of experience. Founded in 1923, Fenner & Esler has been serving Built Environment professionals for over 45 years. Their clients range from single person studios to ENR 100 firms located throughout the United States. Fenner & Esler has been an Allied Member of AIA Pennsylvania for 20 years and a supporting member of various local AIA Chapters. Tim and the firm have been frequent chapter speakers on risk and insurance issues; grassroots advocacy with state and local government officials and a tireless proponent with insurance carriers on issues that impact A&E firms throughout the Commonwealth. Tim has been a reliable and trust-worthy resource to the members of AIA Pennsylvania. From offering competitive insurance rates to hosting monthly continuing education sessions to help our firms stay acquainted with the latest business risks, Tim has helped our firms be prepared for the expected and the unexpected.
Contribution to the Profession by a Non-Architect Award | Arthur Ziegler
The Contribution to the Profession by a Non-Architect Award honors individuals, corporations, associations or other groups who do not practice architecture. Recipients may be cited for their direct contributions to the profession, applied research, or other through other disciplines that are allied with architects or enhanced the practice of architecture.
A leading American preservationist, urbanist, writer, and activist, Arthur Ziegler is best known for co-founding the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation in 1964.
A recipient of the Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award—the highest award in historic preservation— from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Private Sector Achievement Award from the President of the United States, he has spent his life working to combat urban renewal policies that devastated historic sections of Pittsburgh and American cities and towns. He believes historic preservation is an effective means to create sustainable affordable, housing, healthy neighborhoods, and economic development.
A recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Arthur holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, including postgraduate studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York and Western Reserve University— now Case Western University—in Cleveland.
Impact Designer Award | Chris Dawson, AIA
The Impact Designer Award recognizes a wide range of design disciplines held together by a common goal to design and create a better world through innovative, scalable and measurable solutions. Impact design is rooted in the core belief that design can be used to create positive social, environmental and economic change, and focuses on actively measuring impact to inform and direct the design process. Purpose before profit. A guiding principle for Chris Dawson, AIA, and his eponymous firm. Chris Dawson Architect works to make architecture easy to understand and bring to life, by taking an inherently collaborative approach, with the shared goal of unlocking all the potential contained within a project. The firm actively pursues projects that will benefit those most in need and believe that architecture is for everyone.
When notified of his honor Chris offered, "I am humbled by AIA Pennsylvania's recognition as an impact designer but am grateful that my firm's work is appreciated. It is a team effort with many people contributing to executing the work. I have had the privilege to work with many talented designers and architects over the last 11 years with our current roster including: Jan Baros, Sara Sweeney, Kim Riley, Allison Krichman, Klara Barosova, Vladimir Sturm, Jim White, and Molly Mank."
Government Award | Richard Castner, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Richard is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Accessibility Advisory Board.
Government Award | Frank Dittenhafer, FAIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Frank is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Capital Preservation Committee.
Government Award | A. Stevens (Steve) Krug, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Steve is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Climate Change Advisory Committee.
Government Award | Marc Mondor, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Marc is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Climate Change Advisory Committee.
Government Award | Dennis Astorino, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Dennis is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA).
Government Award | Randy Galiotto, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Randy is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the DGS Selections Committee.
Government Award | Matthew Luttrell, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Matthew is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the DGS Selections Committee.
Government Award | Greg Woodring, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Greg is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Department of Labor and Industry's Industrial Board.
As the Architect on the Industrial Board, Greg has provided views and opinions on submissions for a variety of code variances across a host of issues on materials and building standards that the Industrial Board oversees.
Government Award | John Hill, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
John is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the State Architects Licensure Board.
Government Award | Philip Leinbach, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Philip is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the State Architects Licensure Board.
Government Award | William Bates, FAIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
William is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the State Architects Licensure Board.
Government Award | Aram Piligian, Jr., AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Aram is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the State Architects Licensure Board.
Government Award | Mary McClenaghan, AIA
PA State Licensure Board
Government Award | Jerry Roller, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Jerry is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the State Architects Licensure Board.
Government Award | Esten Rusten, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Esten is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Sewage Advisory Committee.
Government Award | Charles Coltharp, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Charles is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (RAC).
Government Award | Joseph Lavalle, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Joseph is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (RAC).
Government Award | Maureen Guttman, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Maureen is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (RAC).
Government Award | Michael Thompson, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Michael is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (RAC).
Government Award | Michael Kelly, AIA
The Government Award is given in to any individual or group working in state or local government that has made significant contributions to the profession and business of architecture and/or the built environment.
Michael is one of twenty citizen architect members recognized for service to the commonwealth and representation of the profession as an appointee to the School Safety and Security Committee.
50 Year Timeless Award | The George Nakashima Studio and Grounds
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. This year’s honoree is the George Nakashima Studio and Grounds. AIA Pennsylvania extends a special thanks to Committee on Design Chair, Bob Kelly, and 2020 Special Awards Nomination Committee Chair Jeff Goldstein, for their creative vision and direction on this year’s 50 year timeless documentary short.
Medal of Distinction | Emanuel Kelly, FAIA
Principal/co-founder of Kelly/Maiello Architects & Planners
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.
Emanuel Kelly, FAIA, is a Principal and co-founder of Philadelphia’s Kelly/Maiello Architects & Planners, a minority-owned firm established in 1976. Emanuel (or Kelly as he is often called) receiveda Bachelor of Architecture degree from Drexel University and a Master of City Planning and Urban Design from Harvard University. He is an AIA Fellow, a Charter member of the Philadelphia Chapter of NOMA and was the first African-American president of AIA Philadelphia. His distinguished career is inspired by his roots in the urban African-American experience, and is most notable for service within the industry, the education of future architects, and a sustained commitment to preserving and revitalizing our city’s communities. His achievements and memberships are many, his works are varied; from The President’s House at Independence National Park, to the New West Philadelphia High School and his current Rebuild work, he has delivered on the premise that design is for ALL.
Architecture Firm of the Year | Ballinger
Every year, the AIA Pennsylvania Architecture Firm of the Year Award recognizes one firm whose passion and practice has produced notable architecture for at least a decade.
One of the oldest architectural practices in the country, Ballinger has evolved significantly from the firm that in the 1920’s invented the superspan, sawtooth roof to bring natural light into industrial workspaces. During the mid-1990’s the firm embarked on a significant transformation from a regional service firm to a national, design-focused practice serving high-quality institutions and clients. A holistic change in leadership, culture, design process, and clients altered the breath and stature of Ballinger’s work. Today, Ballinger is nationally recognized for design excellence and innovation in creating experientially engaging, programmatically demanding, and technically complex buildings that advance science and health. Built on a legacy of invention and strengthened by the transformation of the past 20 years, Ballinger is driven by their core values of Design Excellence, Environmental Stewardship, and Commitment to Community.