The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is elevating four AIA members from AIA Virginia to its prestigious College of Fellows, AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. The 2024 Jury of Fellows is elevating 96 members this year to the College of Fellows.
The fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level.
As many of you know, the College of Fellows is AIA’s highest membership honor, with only 3% of members achieving this distinction. The bar is justifiably high, and the jury deliberates for days on the hundreds of applicants. If you’re new to AIA or interested in understanding the process better, you can learn more about the nomination and criteria, which includes fellowship objects, here.
The newly elevated fellows from AIA Virginia are:
Michelle Amt, FAIA of VMDO Architects (Central Virginia)
Edward Ford, FAIA of Edward R. Ford Architect-Author (Central Virginia)
Mel Price, FAIA of Work Program Architects (Hampton Roads)
Bruce Wardell, FAIA of brwarchitects, p.c. (Central Virginia)
New fellows will be honored at the AIA Virginia Fellows Fête, March 16, 2024 at Barboursville Vineyards.
New fellows will be honored at the AIA Awards Gala, June 7, 2024, at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. Learn more about fellowship on AIA’s website.
Architecture Exchange East is the annual thought-leadership conference and expo curated by AIA Virginia. It will be held Nov. 6-8, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia! Our goal is to bring together the brightest minds and most engaging speakers to present talks that are future-focused on a wide range of subjects, to provoke important conversations among design professionals, and to promote networking, relationship building, and collaboration.
Celebrating its 37th year, ArchEx has always strived to help push the profession forward. We are looking for exciting and engaging topics and speakers to make this year unforgettable.
We value sessions that encourage conversation, connections, and collaborative learning. Think workshops, roundtables, tours, and interactive panels. Many of our session slots will be 60 minutes, but we’ll also reserve longer time slots for more in-depth explorations.
To propose an offering, complete and submit the Presentation Proposal Form by April 30, 2024. Your proposal will be reviewed, and you will be contacted no later than July 2024. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
Requirements
Submit a completed proposal form online
Proposals must be received by the deadline date.
Expert speakers with public speaking experience are preferred
Presentation content must be sufficient for the proposed length of the session
Deadline is 5:00 p.m., April 30, 2024
Decision Process
All proposals are evaluated by AIA Virginia’s Education Advisory Council to ensure they address the educational needs of the audience and that the program is well-balanced. The submission review process will begin in June and will continue until the entire program is set.
If you would like to be a part of the Education Advisory Council and help shape the ArchEx program, please contact Delaney Ogden at dogden@aiava.org.
Suggestions and Questions
Suggestions for potential speakers or questions about the conference can be directed to Delaney Ogden, Director of Education at dogden@aiava.org.
Suggested Topics
Tours — Projects of interest, in progress or recently completed, restoration, redevelopment, urban planning, art installations, artist studios, creatives, historical architecture, etc.
Tours/experiences of cultural, historical, and artistic interest
Workshops/experiences that involve community design/engagement
Hurry, get your tickets! REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, MARCH 22!
Tickets are now available for the 2024 Virginia Design Forum XVI – [Un]Certainty: Reflections on Craft at the Cyber Frontier! Taking place in Richmond, VA on April 5-6, 2024 at the Institute for Contemporary Art VCU. Our speakers will challenge assumptions and define new boundaries along the spectrum of craft and design, evolving how humanness and technology continue to intersect in our built environment.
FRIDAY 2:00 p.m. Meet and Greet, Registration Opens 3:00 p.m. Welcome and Moderator Remarks | Dwayne Oyler 4:00 p.m. Ted Flato, FAIA 5:30 p.m. Happy Hour Reception 7:00 p.m. First Fridays in Richmond, VA (attendees out on your own)
SATURDAY 8:30 a.m. Check-in and Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Billie Tsien, AIA 10:45 a.m. Rick Joy, FAIA 11:45 a.m. Provided Lunch 1:00 p.m. Moderator Remarks and Speaker Panel 2:00 p.m. Tour of the Institute of Contemporary Art VCU with Quinn Evans (associate architect) 3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks
AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the 2023 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 of the award categories, consideration was given to sustainability, affordability, social impact, innovation, durability, addressing the natural and built context, and meeting the specific needs of the client.
From a field of 144 entries, only 14 were selected by the jury for recognition. These few projects stood above the rest as 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 A committee of esteemed architects chaired by Ray Calabro, FAIA, judged the entries for AIA Virginia’s 2023 Awards for Excellence in Architecture. Joining Calabro on the jury are Jennifer Devlin-Herbert, FAIA; Omar Gandhi, FRAAC; and Karen Lu, AIA.
In the ADAPTIVE OR CONTINUED USE category
The work of retrofitting, renovating, adapting, and remodeling existing buildings accounts for almost half of U.S. architecture billings. This award celebrates design interventions upon existing buildings that help achieve carbon reduction through creative reuse and adaptation.
Award of Honor
The Assembly (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Architecture Firm: ZGF Architects Owner: University of Pittsburgh General Contractor: Turner Construction Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti MEP Engineer: Affiliated Engineers, Inc. Photographers: Connie Zhou and Halkin Mason Photography
Jury Comments: We appreciated the significant yet respectful transformation of the existing building, particularly the double-height glazed space. The adaptive reuse of the assembly bays into open, flexible spaces for research is great.
In the ARCHITECTURE category
The jury considers aesthetics, adherence to the client’s wishes, proven and projected building performance, and concept development during its deliberations.
Award of Honor
The Center of Developing Entrepreneurs (Charlottesville, Va.)
Images courtesy of Wolf Ackerman. Photos by Alan Karchmer.
Architecture Firm: WOLF ACKERMAN Associate Architect: EskewDumezRipple+ Owner: CSH Development General Contractor: Hourigan Group Photographer: Alan Karchmer
Jury Comments: We appreciated the attention to design at every level: a clever site response to the Halprin master plan, great massing strategies, and beautiful use of material and detailing at both interior and exterior. We applaud the integration of high sustainability goals/LEED Platinum.
Awards of Merit
Church Hill North – The Kitchens at Reynolds (Richmond, Va.)
Images courtesy of Quinn Evans. Photos by Ansel Olsen.
Architecture Firm: Quinn Evans – Architect of Record O’Neill McVoy Architects – Design Architect Owner: Church Hill North Holdings LLC General Contractor: Hourigan Structural Engineer: Silman MEP Engineer: Valley Engineering Civil Engineer: Timmons Consultant: Clyde Construction Engineering Photographer: Ansel Olsen
Jury Comments: We admired the social program of this building and its response to serving the surrounding community. It has a strong diagrammatic response to the site, and we appreciated the bold forms and use of materials. It will be great to see how it performs after all spaces are inhabited.
Thurston Hall Renovation (Washington, D.C.)
Images courtesy of VMDO Architects. Photos by Alan Karchmer.
Architecture Firm: VMDO Architects Owner: The George Washington University General Contractor: Clark Construction Photographer: Alan Karchmer
Jury Comments: A few simple moves result in a thoughtful yet dramatic renovation to maximize daylight and connection to the outdoors. This is a case study for adapting existing buildings, especially student housing, which is an important component of student wellness and building community on any campus.
In the HISTORIC PRESERVATION category
The historic preservation category focuses specifically on excellence in strategies, tactics, and technologies that advance the art, craft, and science of preserving historically significant buildings and sites. The jury takes into consideration adherence to local, state, and national criteria for historic preservation.
Awards of Merit
Warm Springs Pools (Warm Springs, Va.)
Images courtesy of 3North. Photos by Gordon Gregory.
Architecture Firm: 3North Owner: The Omni Homestead Resort General Contractor: Lionberger Construction Structural Engineer: 1200 Architectural Engineer, PLLC Photographer: Gordon Gregory
Jury Comments: We applaud this gentle restoration of beautiful 19th-century wood bathing structures. The elegance comes from the restraint and what they chose to restore rather than reimagine. Appreciated the clarity of the submission and the photos of the project history.
Renovation of Historic Camping Cabins, Douthat State Park and Fairy Stone State Park
Images courtesy of PMA Architecture. Photos by Yuzhu Zheng and Dave Chance Photography.
Architecture Firm: PMA Architecture Consulting Architect: Stemann | Pease Architecture Owner: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation General Contractor: Thor Construction LLC Photographers: Yuzhu Zheng and Dave Chance Photography
Jury Comments: This project honors the existing historic cabins in a thoughtful way. We appreciated the accessibility story, the highly crafted additions, and treating these modest buildings with a gentle touch.
In the INTERIOR DESIGN category
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.
Honorable Mention
Symphony Orthodontics (Bristow, Va.)
Images courtesy of OLI Architecture PLLC. Photos by Susuan Stripling.
Architecture Firm: OLI Architecture PLLC Architect of Record: Aurora Architects LLC Owner: Dr. Zahra Heidari General Contractor: Liberty Group LLC Millworkers: Hachi Collections, LLC and Epic Enterprises Inc. Photographers: Susuan Stripling and Cameron Davidson
Jury Comments: We appreciated the commitment of both client and designer to crafting an immersive environment. Appreciate the floor plan and a series of minimal but highly refined and crafted spaces.
In the RESIDENTIAL DESIGN category
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.
Awards of Merit
Foal House and Studio (Charlottesville)
Images courtesy of Gehrung Graham LLC. Photos by Virginia Hamrick.
Architecture Firm: Gehrung Graham LLC Owner: Audrey & Mark Graham General Contractor: Jobes Builders (phase 1) and Promethean Homes (phase 2) Lighting Design: MSLD Landscape Architecture: JCLA Studio Photographer: Virginia Hamrick
Jury Comments: We applaud this project’s commitment to Passive House design. It is one of the few residential projects to actually provide EUI data and the commitment to sustainability is noteworthy.
Nebo House (Nebo, N.C.)
Images courtesy of Fuller/Overby Architecture. Photos by Paul Warchol.
Architecture Firm: Fuller/Overby Architecture Owner: Katherine Overby Contractor: Cottonwood Development Structural Engineer: Nat Oppenheimer, Silman Mechanical Engineer: Mark Cambria, Fusion Systems Photographer: Paul Warchol
Jury Comments: We liked the unusual forms and the way the house engages with the steep terrain. Despite the modest scale (2600 SF), the interiors are dramatic spaces filled with light. We appreciate the inventive floor plan.
In the SMALL PROJECTS category
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.
Projects under 5,000 Square Feet
Award of Honor
CASA Playhouse/Play Factory (Richmond)
Photos by Hanbury.
Architecture Firm: Hanbury Owner: Henrico CASA Contractor: DPR Construction Photographer: Hanbury
Jury Comments: We loved the sense of playfulness that pervades every aspect of this modest project. And we appreciated the use of modest, reclaimed/donated materials to achieve a visual richness.
Award of Merit
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (Alexandria)
Images courtesy of Cunningham Quill Architects. Photos by Allen Russ Photography, LLC.
Architecture Firm: Cunningham Quill Architects Owner: Church of the Resurrection Contractor: Dominion Construction Group Landscape Architect: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects Civil Engineer: Walter L. Phillips, Inc. Structural Engineer: Ehlert Bryan Consulting Structural Engineers MEP Engineer: Interface Engineering, Inc. Lighting Design: MCLA Architectural Lighting Design
Jury Comments: The jury appreciated this project’s focus on developing a sacred space within modest means. The resulting interior space is filled with light and is sensitively positioned on the site.
Projects up to $150,000
Honorable Mention
Tangential Timber (temporary pavilion reinstalled at multiple sites)
Images courtesy of After Architecture, LLC. Photos by After Architecture, LLC.
Architecture Firm: After Architecture, LLC & University of Virginia Before Building Laboratory Owner: University of Virginia Before Building Laboratory Fabrication Team: Sonja Bergquist, Sophie Depret-Guillaume, Cecily Farrell, Abbey Partika, Russell Petro, Emily Ploppert, Jonathan (Yianni) Spears, Jolie Talha, Annabelle Woodcock Photographer: After Architecture
Jury Comments: The jury recognized the proposed use of offcut/waste material into an inventive structural system. This type of thinking/research could be applied to many areas of the building profession.
In the CONTEXTUAL DESIGN category
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.
Award of Honor
U.S. Embassy Campus Niamey (Niamey, Niger)
Images courtesy of Page Southerland Page, Inc. Photos by Amber Renee Design and Kevin Scott.
Architecture Firm/Architect of Record: Page Southerland Page, Inc. Design Architect: Miller Hull Partnership Owner: U.S. Department of State Contractor: BL Harbert International, LLC Geotechnical Engineer: Schnabel Engineering Civil Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers MEP Engineer: Mason & Hanger Structural Engineer: Ehlert Bryan Consulting Structural Engineers Blast Engineer: Weidlinger Associates, Inc. Photographers: Amber Renee Design and Kevin Scott
Jury Comments: The jury appreciated the sensitive response of this building to its climate and cultural context. We particularly liked the use of locally sourced materials and the way texture and color are woven into the scheme.
In the UNBUILT WORK category
Unbuilt work was considered, as long as it was commissioned by a client as opposed to hypothetical work completed in the mode of research or academic training.
Honorable Mention
ReGen LA (Los Angeles)
Images courtesy of Tomas Eliaeson.
Designer: Tomas Eliaeson
Jury Comments: We acknowledge the aspirational qualities of the project, which are evident at many levels. Planning principles and sustainability strategies are woven together, demonstrating the need for this type of thinking at all scales of development.