Join us on January 27, 2026 at the Virginia General Assembly.
Participants will observe and participate in the legislative advocacy process by spending the day at the Virginia General Assembly. The itinerary will include meeting with elected officials and lobbyists, observing proceedings during the House/Senate Floor Session(s), and witnessing/participating in House/Senate (Sub)Committee Meetings.
Earns 6.5 LUs
AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the 2025 Design Awards. These honors celebrate projects no older than seven years that contribute to the built environment and are clear examples of thoughtful, engaging design. Within each award category, consideration was given to sustainability, affordability, social impact, innovation, durability, addressing the natural and built context, and meeting the client’s specific needs.
From a field of 125 entries, only 24 were selected by the jury for recognition. These few projects stood above the rest and were particularly notable. Awards of Merit are presented to those projects worthy of recognition and an Award of Honor is reserved for those projects deemed by the jury to be truly exceptional. Consideration is given to aesthetics, social impact, innovation, context, performance, and stewardship of the natural environment — with particular emphasis on the Framework for Design Excellence.
About the Jury
Andrew Chin, Assoc. AIA, Dean of the School of Architecture + Engineering Technology (SAET) at Florida A&M University (FAMU) mustered a tremendously dignified jury to deliberate over the 2025 Design Awards. Joining him was a veritable council of deans, including Abimbola Asojo, FAIA, Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State, C.L. Bohannon, FASLA, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Community Engagement at the University of Virginia, José L.S. Gámez, Dean of the College of Arts + Architecture at UNC Charlotte, Marilys Nepomechie, FAIA, DPACSA, Associate Dean for Architecture at Florida International University, and Quilian Riano, Dean of Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture.
Celebrate these winning designs and designers at Visions for Architecture, the evening of November 6th at the Downtown Richmond Marriott. Purchase Your Tickets>>
In their deliberations, the jury considers aesthetics, adherence to the client program, proven and projected building performance, and concept development.
Sycamore & Oak (Washington, D.C.)
Architecture Firm: Adjaye Associates
Architect of Record: Winstanley Architects & Planners
Contractor: Banneker Ventures
Photographer: Dror Baldinger
New U.S. Embassy Windhoek (Windhoek, Namibia)
Architecture Firm: Honore Carmona / Page
Contractor: Dan Hogan / B.L. Harbert International
Woodlands Stewardship Education Center (Chantilly, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Quinn Evans (Washington, DC)
Contractor: Cooper Building Services, LLC
Photographer: Joseph Romeo Photography
Ferguson Headquarters 3 (Newport News, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Clark Nexsen
Contractor: WM Jordan Company, Inc.
Photographer: Mark Herboth Photography LLC
Virginia Tech Academic Building One (Alexandria, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: SmithGroup
Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Photographers: Judy Davis – Studio HDP and Alan Karchmer
James A. Buzzard River Education Center (Richmond, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: 3North
Contractor: Kjellstrom & Lee
Photographer: Yuzhu Zheng Photography, 3North, and QPH Photo
University of Miami Centennial Village (Coral Gables, Florida)
Architecture Firm: VMDO Architects
Contractor: Coastal Construction
Photographer: Alan Karchmer
NASA Langley Research Center Measurement Systems Laboratory (Hampton, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: AECOM
Contractor: W.M. Jordan Company
Photographers: Robb Williamson – AECOM, Scott Wertz – Studio SMW
Micron Team Member Center (Manassas, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Jacobs
Contractor: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro
Howard University Myra Miner Building (Washington, DC)
Architecture Firm: Studio Twenty Seven Architecture
Contractor: MCN Build
Photographer: HDP Studio
Dorothy Height Elementary School (Washington, DC)
Architecture Firm: CGS Architects
Contractor: GCS-Sigal / Grunley JV
Photographer: Chris Ambridge Photography
The awards for contextual design are chosen based on outstanding architecture that perceptibly reflects the history, culture, and physical environment of the place in which it stands and that, in turn, contributes to the function, beauty, and meaning of its larger context.
The Burying Ground Memorial at the University of Richmond (Richmond, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Baskervill
Contractor: Team Henry Enterprises LLC
Photographers: Ansel Olson and Aaron Doggett
Reservoir District Master Plan: Recreation Center and Park (Washington, DC)
Architect of Record: Quinn Evans
Master Planner and Design Architect: Perkins Eastman DC
Contractor: Gilbane Building Company
Photographers: Quinn Evans and Alan Karchmer Architectural Photographer
Virginia Institute of Marine Science EARC (Wachapreague, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: VIA design architects, pc
Contractor: E.T. Gresham Company, Inc.
Photographer: Yuzhu Zheng Photography
General Assembly Building (Richmond, Virginia)
Architect of Record: Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Associate Architect: Glavé & Holmes Architecture
Contractor: Gilbane Building Company
Photographers: Francis Dzikowski/OTTO and Thomas Holdsworth
Beaverdam Reservoir Park (Loudoun County, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Studio Twenty Seven Architecture
Contractor: Meridian Construction Co, Inc.
Photographer: HDP Studio
Projects submitted in this category should include either a renovation within an existing building or new construction that expands an existing structure or site. This award intends to recognize thoughtful interventions that create synergy between old and new construction, improve functionality, and energy efficiency, meet contemporary standards for comfort and utility, and/or capitalize on the embodied energy of an existing structure.
Center City Public Charter School, Maker Space (Washington, DC)
Architecture Firm: Page
Contractor: Chiaramonte Construction Company
Photographer: Allen Russ
Slayton House Renovation and Addition (Washington, DC)
Architecture Firm: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
Contractor: Peterson & Collins
Photographer: Anice Hoachlander
Interior design projects are judged on mastery of composition, functionality, material and color palettes, and well-integrated adherence to the highest levels of accessibility, health and safety, environmental, and occupant-comfort considerations, standards, and regulations.
Goochland Elementary School (Goochland, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Stantec
Contractor: Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc.
Photographer: Tom Holdsworth Photography and Jerry Marinzel Photography
Riggs (Washington, DC)
Architecture Firm: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
Interior Designer: Baron Gurney Interiors
Contractor: Peterson and Collins, Inc.
Photographer: Anice Hoachlander
Capital Turnaround (Washington, DC)
Architecture Firm: MTFA Design + Preservation, PLLC
Contractor: Forrester Construction
Photographer: Matt Johnson
Aesthetic appeal and functionality are two long-established criteria for home design, as are affordability and resource efficiency. The jury looks at each submission in its totality toward meeting those goals.
Vienna Zero Energy 2024 (Vienna, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Peabody Fine Architect
Contractor: Allen Built Inc.
Photographer: Kate Wichlinski
Design excellence can be achieved, no matter the size or scope of a project. These awards celebrate projects with modest budgets that have a substantial impact. Small Project Awards are given in three categories, offering opportunities for recognition to a wide range of project sizes and budgets. All projects must demonstrate design achievement, including how the project fits into its environment and how the project connects to the Framework for Design Excellence.
CASA Playhouse/Brown Bear’s Cave (Richmond, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Hanbury
Contractor: DPR Construction
Photographer: Hanbury
Houselet (Richmond, Virginia)
Architecture Firm: Fuller/Overby Architecture
Contractor: Peregrine Builders LLC
Photographer: Paul Warchol
by Hayley Owens, Assoc. AIA, and Jonathan Hiser, AIA, on behalf of AIA Virginia’s J.E.D.I. Committee
Back in 2014, NCARB was grappling with two long standing issues – the average time it took for an architect to get licensed was over 13 years and the profession was continuing to struggle to increase diversity. The Integrated Path to Architectural License, best known as IPAL, was born to improve the accessibility of licensure by creating a pathway that harkens back to a tradition of the past – apprenticeship as an integral part of the education of an architect. Schools that participate in the IPAL program partner their students with architecture firms for internships that last throughout the student’s time in school. Participation in IPAL allows students to accrue their required experience hours and start taking the licensure exams before they graduate while they still have the supportive school environment.
In Virginia, Hampton University (HU) is the first and only school to offer IPAL. HU leadership saw the program as a unique way to enhance the education they offer, but also to answer the urgent need to support students of color on their journey to licensure. Offering a reminder for the importance of these efforts, the recently published 2025 NCARB by the Numbers Report reveals that the number of African American architects is holding steady at 2% for the last five years. Hampton adopted the program with the initial goals to better prepare their students for licensure, give them a sense of the rigor of the profession while immersed in their education, and build a strong, vibrant exchange between academia and the practice in firms.
To learn more about how IPAL is going at Hampton, the AIA Virginia J.E.D.I. Committee sat down for a conversation with folks who represent a range of perspectives on the program: Leanna Humphrey, an assistant professor at Hampton University who coordinates the IPAL program; Isaiah Bailey, a Hampton student participating in IPAL; and two leaders of firms participating in IPAL, Robert Easter, FAIA, former Hampton University Director and Principal at KEI; and Rob Reis, FAIA, a Principal at Hanbury. Together, their voices offer a rich picture of the success and challenges of the program.
“Interning this early has opened my eyes to the profession.” Isaiah Bailey
Isaiah, now entering his fourth year at Hampton, has been an intern for the past three summers at HGA in the DC area. He shared his appreciation for how welcoming the firm has been, immediately helping to create a sense of belonging despite being young when he first joined. Isaiah noted how his experience interning not only has been great for improving his graphic and technical skills but also how he has had the chance to practice and grow as a presenter. His repeated internships with the office have allowed him to see projects through multiple stages, for example, this past summer Isaiah was in charge of designing and coordinating a mock-up that is now near completion. Leanna added that the IPAL students are noticeably mature from their internship experiences and, though a small cohort at Hampton, they end up changing the whole department by sharing the knowledge and skills they bring back. They especially know “how to do group work.” Those of us working in the profession understand this sentiment!
At Hampton, students who are interested in participating in IPAL apply for the program during their first year and, once accepted into a limited number of seats, will interview with firms to secure an internship. Just like the participating firms will make a commitment to the same intern for the duration of their education, students make a commitment to participating in this rigorous program from early in their education. This naturally attracts driven and focused students, especially since participating in IPAL means taking a gap year to immerse themselves in their full-time internship and exams before returning for their final year of schooling. Leanna works very closely with this small group of students and participating firms to make sure that the program is meeting everyone’s expectations and offering support as is necessary.
“It is not a tremendous time burden; it is just a matter of tracking the student and making sure they get the right experience, and all for such a worthy cause.” Rob Reis, FAIA
Without a doubt, IPAL is a valuable program for both students and firms. However, one of the main challenges Hampton faces is the need for awareness and participation from firms so that more students are able to participate. Rob Reis, FAIA, shared how Hanbury came to be involved with IPAL, and that from the outset of their involvement, their interns have been very effective in the office. From Rob’s perspective, it is a very small commitment on the side of the firm: “It is not a tremendous time burden; it is just a matter of tracking the student and making sure they get the right experience, and all for such a worthy cause.” Rob is excited to see some very robust enrollment numbers of students in IPAL at other schools like SCAD, whose Master’s program has over 100 students enrolled. He sees this as evidence of the potential Hampton’s program has here and the importance of firm support, sharing that “it is going to take energy from all of us to build the momentum.”
How can firms get involved?
The committee had some questions that I’m sure several of intrigued firms and firm leaders may have, so Robert Easter, FAIA, graciously answered some FAQs:
We asked these leaders for tips on implementing IPAL at your office:
Many thanks to our interview participants for sharing their stories and experiences. Each looks forward to opportunities to share more and welcomes you to reach out. If you have questions about Hampton’s IPAL program or want to learn more, you can reach Leanna Humphrey at leanna.humphrey@hamptonu.edu.
Celebrate with all of these honorees at the Visions for Architecture Gala on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at the Richmond Downtown Marriott.
William C. Noland Medal – Robert L. Easter, FAIA, NOMAC
T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Firm Award – VMDO Architects
Emerging Architect Award – Gina Robinson, AIA
Associates Award – Ava Helm, AIA
Associates Award – Ayesha Shaikh, Associate AIA
Award for Distinguished Achievement – Harry M. Falconer, Jr., FAIA
Award for Distinguished Achievement – Jay Hugo, AIA, ASLA, ASID
Test of Time – Congregation Beth Israel
Honorary Membership – Willie Greenough
Tickets are available through the ArchEx registration here>> until October 29, 2025 or sold out.
Richmond Marriott
500 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Visions Cocktail Reception
Capital Ballroom Foyer (lower level) | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Visions for Architecture Gala
Capital Ballroom (lower level) | 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
