Architectural Excellence Awards

Looking for tips and tricks to help streamline your project submissions? Stream the “Demystifying the Awards Process” webinar recording for 1 AIA LU credit

Visit the New Submission Site to Recognize Excellence

The new 2020 AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Awards submission site is accepting submissions for the Design Awards, COTE Awards, and Special Awards now through 11:59 pm Thursday, September 3, 2020.

Design Awards

The AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Design Awards awards celebrate the exemplary design achievements of members and impact of architecture regardless of budget, size, style, or type.

Meet 2020 head juror, Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA

review the call for submissions & start a submission(s)

COTE Awards

The AIA Pennsylvania Committee on the Environment (COTE) and Committee on Design (COD) formerly the Awards Committee are proud to announce the addition of the Architectural Excellence COTE Awards to the prestigious Architectural Excellence Awards program.

Projects selected for this honor will have exhibited excellence in the AIA Framework for Design Excellence measures that indicate how buildings perform for the health and wellness of the occupants, communities, and the environment(s) they serve.

review the call for submissions & start a submission(s)

Special Awards

The AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Special Awards recognize significant achievements by members, non-members, civic/government leaders, allied professionals, and firms who contribute to the built environment and the advancement of the profession in the Commonwealth.

review the call for nominations & start a nomination(s)

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.

Recipients

  • Philadelphia Savings Fund Society (PSFS) Building (2019)
  • The Alcoa Building and Mellon Square Park (2018)
  • Fallingwater (2017)
  • Richards Medical Research Laboratories (2016)
  • Vanna Venturi House (2015)

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.

Recipients

  • Michael Klinepeter, Executive Vice President of Pyramid Construction Services & Board Member ACE Mentor Program of Central Pennsylvania (2019)
  • CALDWELL HECKLES & EGAN, INC. & Peter C. Egan (2018)
  • TONO Group & D. Hunter Johnson, AIA (2017)
  • TAKTL (2016)
  • Mascaro Construction (2015)
  • Langan Engineering & Environmental Services (2014)

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.

Recipients

  • Timothy McDonald, RA, LEED AP, CPHC, CPHD, President & CEO, Onion Flats (2019)
  • Urban Design Build Studio, UDBS (2018)
  • The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (2017)
  • Community Design Collaborative & Beth Miller, Executive Director (2016)

This award recognizes exceptional contributions to the profession by an AIA Pennsylvania Associate member who graduated in the last five years and who has demonstrated professional and civic leadership. Please note all recipients were Associate AIA (unlicensed) at the time of honor.

Recipients

  • Patrick Ness, Associate AIA (2019)
  • Rachel Haynes, Associate AIA (2018)
  • Joe Adiutori Jr., AIA (2017)
  • Raymond Bowman, AIA (2016)
  • Troy Hannigan, Associate AIA Community Ventures (2015)
  • Jared McKnight, Associate AIA Wallace Roberts & Todd (2015)
  • Erike De Veyra, Associate AIA (2014)

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.

Nominations may be made by the Board of Directors of a Chapter or by a group of ten (10) AIA Pennsylvania members. This is an excellent opportunity for us to recognize an excellent member. We encourage you to nominate worthy candidates. Only one award will be presented, and the selection will be made by AIA Pennsylvania’s board of directors.

Recipients

  • Sylvester Damianos, FAIA (2019)
  • Richard DeYoung, FAIA (2018)
  • Donald K. Carter, FAIA (2017)
  • Denise Scott Brown, Hon. FAIA (2016)
  • Vivian Loftness, FAIA (2015)
  • William J. Bates, AIA (2014)
  • Charles E. Dagit, Jr. FAIA (2012)
  • Raymond L. Gindroz, FAIA (2011)
  • John D. Milner, FAIA (2010)
  • Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA (2010)
  • Peter Q. Bohlin, FAIA (2008)
  • Vincent G. Kling, FAIA (1994)
  • Robert Dale Lynch, AIA (1991)
  • Robert Venturi, FAIA (1990)
  • G. Holmes Perkins, FAIA (1989)
  • David N. Lewis, FAIA (1988)
  • Ehrman B. Mitchell, FAIA (1987)

The Architectural Firm Award is awarded to any firm or successor firms, whether an individual or an organization of architects, in which the continuing collaboration among individuals of the firm has been the principal force in consistently producing distinguished architecture for a period of at least 10 years. While serving on the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors, Board members and their firms are ineligible to be nominated for this award. Nominations may be made by the Board of Directors of a Pennsylvania local Chapter or by a group of ten (10) AIA Pennsylvania members.

Recipients

  • ISA (2019)
  • MGA Partners (2018)
  • DIGSAU (2017)
  • Erdy McHenry (2016)
  • Kieran Timberlake (2015)
  • BCJ Architects (2014)
  • Spillman Farmer Architects (2013)

The Emerging Professional Award seeks to recognize the exceptional achievements and future promise of a licensed architect and promote their continuing development.  The applicant’s contribution to the profession can be through one or more of the following: design excellence, leadership in practice, leadership in education, and service to the profession or society.  The award is open to registered architect members of AIA Pennsylvania in their first ten years of licensure as of the date of the application.  (Please note that this can be a self nomination.)

Recipients

  • Lawrence Fabbroni, AIA (2019)
  • Seth Wentz, AIA (2018)
  • Christian Jordan, AIA (2017)
  • Jeff Pastva, AIA (2016)
  • Soha St. Juste, AIA Jacobs (2015)
  • Jo Hohenwarter, AIA, Joshua Otto, AIA and Sean Sheffler, AIA (2014)
  • Denise E. Thompson, AIA (2013)

AIA Pennsylvania is seeking nominations for the Award for Contribution to the Profession by a Non-Architect. The award goes to an individual, corporation, association, or other group; and will be presented at the Statewide Conference.

Recipients will be cited for their direct contributions to the profession such as a building program, public works project, book, theoretical or applied research in zoning, urban design, interiors, planning, energy conservation, preservation, restoration, transportation, industrial design, artistic endeavors, or other significant disciplines that have a strong influence on Architecture. Projects must be non-built contributions that benefit the built world or profession of Architecture.

This is an excellent opportunity for us to recognize excellent work that has helped us to be better architects. We encourage you to nominate worthy candidates. Only one award will be presented, and the selection will be made by AIA Pennsylvania’s board of directors.

Recipients

  • Rebecca L. Flora, AICP, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP ND, Founder and Owner of ReMake Group (2019)
  • Green Building United (2018)
  • Bradley R. Jones, President and CEO Harristown Enterprises Inc. (2017)
  • Philadelphia Water Department (2016)
  • Gary Saulson, Corporate Real Estate PNC Bank Corp. (2015)
  • Anthony Potter, Esq. (2014)
  • David Leatherbarrow (2011)
  • John Andrew Gallery, The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (2010)
  • Roger W. Moss, The Anthenaeum of Philadelphia (2007)
  • Dr. Graham Spanier, The Pennsylvania State University (2006)
  • Gunther O. Carrle, Esq., Powell Trachtman Logan Carrle & Lombardo (2006)
  • The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (2006)
  • Chris Satullo, The Philadelphia Inquirer (2005)
  • Paul R. Levy, Executive Director of the Center City District in Philadelphia (1996)
  • Thomas Hagen, Erie (1993)
  • Thomas Hine, Philadelphia Inquirer (1992)
  • The Anthennaeum of Philadelphia (1990)
  • Hobart G. Cawood (1989)
  • George E. Thomas (1988)
  • Pittsburgh Architects Workshop (1986)
  • Architecture Career Explorer Post #920 from Pittsburgh (1985)

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. Anyone working in state or local government such as legislators, department secretaries, township officials, etc. are eligible for the award as an individual or specified group. The award will be presented at Architects Day in Harrisburg.

This is an excellent opportunity for us to recognize excellent work that has helped us to be better architects. We encourage you to nominate worthy candidates. Only one award will be presented, and the selection will be made by AIA Pennsylvania’s board of directors.

Past Recipients

  • Don Kibler, New Cumberland Borough Councilman (2019)
  • Senator Timothy Kearney, AIA (2019 – Government Citation)
  • The PA Public School Building Construction and Reconstruction Advisory Committee, PlanCon Advisory Committee (2018)
  • Gregory L. Heller, Executive Director, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (2017)
  • Mayor Bill Peduto, Pittsburgh (2016)
  • Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Philadelphia (2015)
  • Alan Greenberger, FAIA (2014)
  • Senator Jay Costa (2013)
  • Representative Mike Turzai (2012)
  • Senator John Rafferty (2011)
  • Representative Matthew Smith (2011)
  • Representative Robert L. Freeman (2010)
  • Mayor Stephen Reed, Harrisburg (2007)
  • Secretary Jim Creedon (2006)
  • Bonnie Mark (2006)

The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of the President of the Board of Directors, in recognition of special contributions and/or particular support of the profession, the business of architecture or the built environment, in Pennsylvania. The award is open to anyone, including members, non-members, architects and others.

Past Recipients

  • City of Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission (2012)
  • Witold M. Rybczynski, Hon. FAIA (2011)
  • Maureen A. Guttman, AIA (2010)

The Student Award recognizes the exceptional scholastic achievement and future promise of a student graduating at the end of the current academic year. The student should have proven to be proficient in both academics and design, and ready to take on the challenges and responsibilities of the work environment in an architecture firm. Student Awards:

2015

  • Gloriana Gonzalez, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Patrick Barendt, Drexel University
  • Elizabeth Mae Andrzejewski, Marywood University
  • Bong Hei Wong, Philadelphia University
  • Katelyn Troutman, Penn State University
  • Alex E. Aftuck, Temple University
  • Caleb White, University of Pennsylvania

2014

  • Arjumand Anjum, Temple University
  • Amanda Bonelli, Philadelphia University
  • Cory Clippinger, Penn State University
  • Gray Garmon, University of Pennsylvania
  • Jason Kim, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Julie Morningstar, Drexel University