Brian J. Frickie, AIA, and Jane Cady Wright, FAIA, will each be honored with the Award for Distinguished Achievement on Nov. 8 at Architecture Exchange East during the Annual Meeting of the Membership and on Nov. 9 during the Visions for Architecture gala at the Hotel John Marshall. The Award for Distinguished Achievement signals especially noteworthy achievement by an architect in any one of the following categories: design, practice, education, service as “citizen architect,” and service to the profession. This award may serve as an accolade for the work of an entire career or recognize the current accomplishments of a younger leader.
Brian Frickie, Principal and Vice President at Kerns Group Architects, has been described as a dynamic and visionary leader who has worked tirelessly to seek out and mentor future leaders of the profession. For more than 30 years, he has worked at the local, state and national levels of the Institute to “make better architects.” During his tenure as Society president, he helped guide and give shape to several important initiatives, including the Practice Academy Summit and the Prize for Design Research & Scholarship. His pioneering efforts led to the establishment of the Society’s highly esteemed and award-winning Emerging Leaders in Architecture program. “Brian’s contributions to the Society have been numerous and important,” said fellow steering-committee member Kirk Train, “but none has compared to his unflagging devotion, [and the] gifts of his time and intellect given to the Emerging Leaders in Architecture … Brian’s dedication to the program has essentially been its lifeline.”
During her nearly 30 years with Hanbury, Evans, Wright, Vlattas + Company — the past 10 spent as CEO, President and Chairman of the Board— Jane Wright has been recognized with more than 35 design awards. During her tenure, she has also been commended for her commitment to sustainability, for her volunteer service, and, perhaps most notably, for her exemplary achievement in advancing the art and science of design for higher education. Her work has directly impacted nearly half a million student lives at more than 130 national and international universities. By making design research a critical component of ongoing study and reflection in the design process for herself and her firm, Wright has helped create and lead an international dialogue regarding education communities. “Jane’s career,” says colleague Mike Evans, FAIA, “is story of distinguished achievement, every day.”