Burt Pinnock Recognized as 2022 Noland Medalist

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A career motivated by passion to preserve and advocate for historic black communities anchors the architect’s nomination

Burchell “Burt” Pinnock, FAIA, has been recognized with the William C. Noland Medal by AIA Virginia for his exceptional career and commitment to preserve and celebrate historic black communities and create opportunities for future generations within and beyond those communities. As the highest honor bestowed by AIA Virginia upon an architect, the Noland Medal is intended to recognize a distinguished body of accomplishments, sustained over time, spanning a broad spectrum of the profession, and transcending the scope of normal professional activities.

For more than 30 years, Pinnock was a voice for responsible design in many urban landscapes of Virginia, especially Richmond. His passion is found on a variety of cultural, master planning, residential, and adaptive reuse work for clients such as the City of Richmond, Black History Museum and Cultural Center, the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial Plaza, and the Richmond Slave Trail Commission. This important work and meaningful community impact led him to the appointment of the City of Richmond’s co-chair for the Richmond 300 Advisory Council.

Pinnock, seeing the opportunity to make a difference in Richmond’s urban neighborhoods, co-founded Storefront for Community Design, a nonprofit design center that works to create human connections, foster quality community development, and strengthen the legacy of Richmond’s urban areas. Richmond residents still live with the effects of inequitable planning practices and this volunteer-based collaborative draws on the talents of young architects and designers and city leaders to facilitate projects. Pinnock, a board member, also directly volunteers architectural services through dozens of pro-bono design sessions and helped facilitate large-scale community engagement workshops.

In his nomination letter, Professor of Humanities at the University of Richmond, Edward L. Ayers, recalled Pinnock’s remarkable skills while working on the university’s Burying Ground Memorialization Committee. The work required Pinnock to learn the complex history of the site, instruct the University of other work done in other places, translate design principles into language widely understood by non-designers, and win the trust of the descendants who were outraged and hurt by the university’s actions in the past.

Pinnock, says Ayers, accomplished all of the goals while also leading the committee’s members from the beginning to the end of its complex proceedings.

“Others can talk about the remarkable structures Burt has designed and overseen. I can testify to the remarkable sense of community and common purpose Burt created among people who shared little before he joined us,” Ayers noted in the nomination letter.

The honor is in memory of William C. Noland, FAIA, one of the founders of the AIA in Virginia, its second President, and Virginia’s first member to be elevated to AIA Fellowship.

Burt Pinnock will be celebrated at Visions for Architecture on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

LeFever and Mott Receive 2022 Awards for Distinguished Achievement

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Jeanne LeFever, AIA, and John Mott, FAIA, will be recognized with the Award for Distinguished Achievement this year by AIA Virginia. The award recognizes either a singular achievement by an architect or the work of an entire career in any of the following areas: design, practice, education, service as a “citizen architect,” service to the profession, or initiatives to advance social justice, equity, diversity, or inclusion.

Jeanne LeFever, AIA, has dedicated much of her career to leadership and mentorship within the profession. During her 35-years in practice, LeFever promoted inclusive professional development, strong values and policies, and thoughtful engagement throughout architecture and among architects. This cohesive and forward-thinking approach was demonstrated at her firm, Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&HA), which transformed the culture, staff retention, and talent acquisition. When LeFever became a principal at G&HA in 2004, she had already forged a successful career as a strong architect, manager and leader. As a principal, LeFever understood the importance of sharing her experiences with young architects and being a role model to others hoping to make a difference in her footsteps.

LeFever’s leadership within the AIA began with the AIA Richmond Board of Directors where she served seven years in various roles. She helped to establish the Richmond Women in Design and the group continues to flourish eight years later. Volunteering on behalf of AIA Richmond over the years, and serving as its President from 2013-2014, LeFever strengthened the strategic position of both the chapter and AIA Virginia to enrich their membership, advocacy, professional development, and governance efforts.

LeFever’s experience led her to create a network of like-minded firms who discuss issues or draw from each other’s experiences. This mindset built bridges and connections between firms allowing more collaboration and openness to help each other. LeFever feels that connecting people and working together only makes firms and the profession stronger and more able to achieve goals that will strengthen our membership, communities, firms, and the future of the profession.

Through his 50-year career, John Mott, FAIA, shares a deep knowledge of architecture, preservation, and culture with clients, colleagues, young architects, and the public through mentoring and serving on numerous boards. Mott began his career in Arkansas where his professional interests evolved toward historic buildings and preservation. He moved to Washington, D.C. for George Notter in 1993, and later joined John Milner Associates (now MTFA Design + Preservation) to establish a successful office in Alexandria. Mott’s commitment to preserving our nation’s history and some of the most iconic American buildings spans 19 states, and he has led teams on over 200 preservation projects around the nation. More than 85 of them have been National Landmark or National Register buildings, including the Washington Monument, Stratford Hall, Ford’s Theater, Jefferson Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial.

Approximately 50 of his projects have been completed across 11 states, including Sage Chapel at Cornell University, Weiss Pavilion at the University of Pennsylvania, and Varsity Hall Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia. His projects have received 40 local, state, regional and national design awards. Yet, as a seasoned and accomplished architect, Mott’s extensive experience and knowledge never impeded his curiosity and eagerness to listen to new ideas and alternate possibilities. He believes that finding ways to make existing buildings useful in today’s marketplace is one of the most important ways the architecture and preservation community can contribute to the overall goal of sustainability for our shared planet.

LeFever and Mott will be celebrated at Visions for Architecture on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

Sen. Bill Stanley and Virginia NOMA recognized with AIA Virginia Honors

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Senator William M. “Bill” Stanley, Jr. and the Virginia chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects are recognized with AIA Virginia Honors in 2022.

AIA Virginia Honors may be bestowed on non-member individuals or organizations that have inspired, influenced, or complemented the architecture profession in Virginia through practice of an allied profession, research, education, planning, legislation, architectural writing, the arts, or crafts. AIA Virginia honors recognize the broader community and its members who contribute to the capabilities of architects to design equitable, healthy, and resilient environments.

Senator Stanley has served the Commonwealth since 2011, when he was nominated and elected to complete the term for the 19th Senate district seat. In 2012, he was elected as the Senator of the 20th District where he serves today. Senator Stanley has been a true advocate and partner for the architecture profession through his work to modernize schools in the Commonwealth. This commitment and dedication was evidenced by his role as chief patron on a number of Senate bills that created public school funding that provided grants for construction, repairs and replacements of critical infrastructure. Most recently, he developed and carried Senate Bill 603 on standards for maintenance and operation of school buildings, and championed another bill, SB 276, which would have allowed school boards to use unexpended funds to finance capital projects.

Virginia NOMA, also known as VANOMA, is a statewide leader in the advocacy, representation, and success of minority architects in the Commonwealth. As a newly formed chapter that received its charter officially in 2020, VANOMA has a clear understanding of its vision for the future as a respected voice and guide for those who want to learn more about and become actively engaged in issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the profession. Through their advisory boards and professional programs, VANOMA has played a critical role in the development of emerging professionals and students on Virginia campuses. VANOMA provides support, professional guidance and active engagement to their student chapters at Hampton University, James Madison University, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech. Additionally, the chapter fosters community outreach and professional development programs across the state, including Project Pipeline camp, Hampton University’s Archi Camp, and providing ARE study group series.    

Sen. Stanley and VANOMA will be celebrated at Visions for Architecture on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

Anne Marie Duvall Decker Announced as 2022 Design Awards Jury Chair

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Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, founding principal of Duvall Decker Architects, will serve as the jury chair for the 2022 Design Awards program.

About the Design Awards

The Design Awards recognize outstanding design, built and unbuilt, from the past eight years. The location of projects is not restricted, but any built works submitted for consideration must have been completed after January 1, 2015. The entry deadline is June 28, 2022.

Each entry will be judged on how successful the project is in meeting its individual requirements. 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.

The Design Awards program is sponsored by:

GOLD
The Three Aspens

SILVER
Mafi
The Garland Company

About Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA

Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, with her partner, Roy Decker, FAIA, founded Duvall Decker in Jackson, Mississippi — a place defined by both palpable need and engaging culture. The firm is a diverse and expanded practice, employing planning, development, design, and building care to promote the quality of the built environment and the health and well-being of its inhabitants. Duvall Decker delivers design excellence and promotes social, economic, and environmental quality, no matter the scope, type, budget, or scale of the project.

Anne Marie pursues a meaningful public architecture that elevates the individual human experience. She has designed award-winning public schools, affordable housing, state institutions, libraries, and university buildings that embrace their physical surrounds and cultural traditions with innovation and invention. She is the leader in the studio, fostering design quality, detailing building construction, making exemplary construction documents, and finding ways to be efficient and have joy in the work.  

Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Mississippi State University. She is a recognized contributor to the advancement of the profession. She has served as a board member and past President of AIA Mississippi and as a trustee and past Chair of the AIA Trust. Anne Marie is often invited to share the firm’s work and her experience as a lecturer, critic, teacher, and design juror, most recently serving as Visiting Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design. She has served on the jury for the 2018 AIA Institute Honor Awards for Architecture and as a selection committee member for the Architectural League of New York’s American Roundtable initiative. Most recently, she serves the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations as an Industry Advisory Group Peer.

2022 Honors Committee Appointed

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At the Feb. 16 meeting, the AIA Virginia Board of Directors affirmed the following appointments to the 2022 Honors Committee:
Robert Boynton, FAIA (Chair)
Bill Brown, AIA
Emily Hogan, AIA
Randy Holmes, FAIA
Kevin Sneed, FAIA
Michael Spory, Assoc. AIA
Karen Van Lengen, FAIA
Kenneth Wiseman, FAIA

The following members will continue their terms on the committee:
April Drake, AIA
David Keith, FAIA
Eric Keplinger, AIA
Amanda Schlichting, AIA
Randy Vaughan, AIA

The honors program recognizes the best efforts of Virginians who, by profession or avocation, have made creating, preserving, and enhancing Virginia’s communities an important life commitment.

The call for nominations is expected to launch in late April.