Manoj Dalaya, AIA, will be recognized with the Award for Distinguished Achievement at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The Award for Distinguished Achievement signals distinguished achievement by an architect in any one of the following categories: design, practice, education, service as “citizen architect” and service to the profession; and thus may serve as an accolade for the work of an entire career or recognize the current accomplishments of a younger leader.
Whether personal or national, experts have honed their skills in the rapidly-changing field of security design dramatically over the past twenty years. During this period of great change, Manoj Dalaya, AIA has been relentlessly delivering successful solutions to complex building security issues within a cloak of exceptional award-winning architectural design.
At KGD, Manoj has been a consistent advocate for what we now call “healthy building,” but might more appropriately be simply called “good design.” From commercial office buildings to a town hall, Manoj’s design ethic positions “building performance” as not merely technologically defined but also fundamentally human. In other words, a well-designed green building must be life enhancing and healthy, not only resource-efficient. That he has achieved these same goals in challenging programs, for secure facilities heavy with technology requirements for example, is remarkable. Manoj’s portfolio, taken as a body of work, stands as evidence that design leadership can bring even the most restrictive programs and clients to a more sustainable, green, healthy result. The profession benefits from such precedents as the deceptively radical 2000 Tower Oaks Blvd. building, a subject for researchers who have studied how Manoj’s combining ancient Vedic principles with high technology resulted in both an uplifting workplace and the DC area’s first LEED Platinum office building.
In addition to efforts within KGD, Manoj has offered his time and skills to AIA Northern Virginia, and multiple districts in the surrounding Washington, DC business communities. This brand of demonstrative leadership provides noticeable public recognition for the architectural profession, and
can make a significant difference within society. Manoj is a collaborator and friend that shows his dedication in everything he undertakes. His service to his firm, community and profession make him an excellent recipient of the AIA Virginia Award for Distinguished Achievement.