Tag: AIA Virginia Honors

The Call for AIA Virginia Honors will be going out soon. In the meantime, I encourage you to help us identify those organizations and individuals doing great work. These Honors rightly recognize our members and colleagues. But we also do well to direct special consideration to those contributing beyond our own domains. Our Honors include several categories directed towards public outreach – these include The Test of Time Award, The Architecture Medal for Virginia Service, Honorary Membership, and AIA Virginia Honors.

Who deserves commendation? Who is contributing? Whose impact should be celebrated? Point them out. Push them forward. Nominate them. Assist them with their submission. Help us to give them the recognition and appreciation they deserve.

As a friendly reminder, I’ll mention that current AIA Virginia Board members and Honors Committee members are not eligible for any individual award. And that members of the Honors Committee may not be used as a reference or advisor on any award or be solicited by the candidate or the candidate’s advisor.

That said, let’s take this opportunity to commend and appreciate the members of the 2025 Honors Committee: Mel Price, FAIA, Andrew McKinley, AIA, Rebecca Brady, AIA, Katie Honbarrier, AIA, Susan Pryor, AIA, and Jessie Gemmer, AIA will join those continuing their service: Bruce Wardell, FAIA, Shannon Dowling, AIA, Eric Keplinger, AIA, Erin Webb, AIA, David Prevette, AIA, Nina Comiskey, AIA, and Lori Garrett, FAIA – who has been appointed as Chair. Gratitude to all – your service is much appreciated.

Take a look at all the AIA Virginia Honor categories and past honorees>>

Richmond steel fabricators Liphart Steel Company will be recognized with AIA Virginia Honors at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, at the Hotel John Marshall. 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.

For nearly 80 years, Liphart Steel has served the architects of Virginia by bringing to realization their designs in both structural and ornamental iron and steel. Founded in Richmond in 1938, Liphart Steel has benefited from steady leadership. Its four chief executives each built on the reputation earned by his predecessors, recognizing the value of their relationships with design professionals, attention to detail, thorough execution, and fine craftsmanship. Thought to be the first company in Virginia to establish an employee stock ownership plan available to all employees, Liphart has been fully employee-owned since 1969. This desire to share the rewards of the company’s success has resulted in its ability to retain the experienced employees who have brought so many architects’ designs to fruition.

Among Liphart’s noteworthy Virginia projects are the historic train shed renovation of Richmond’s Main Street Station, which demanded attention be paid to replicating the historical look of the existing steel while meeting building code, program, and budget requirements. The Science Museum of Virginia’s new 18,000 square-foot Dewey-Gottwald Center accommodates more than 1,000 guests within its column-free event space that features a curvilinear, sweeping roof structure. And Virginia Tech’s indoor athletic facility is one of the largest of its kind in the nation at 91,000 square feet.

In addition to undertaking both challenging and unique structural steel work, Liphart Steel also has produced numerous ornamental and specialty iron products. Overall, the company’s ability to compete while maintaining its modest size has allowed the company’s estimators, detailers and fabricators to treat each project with the attention required to successfully complete its construction.

AIA Virginia is pleased to recognize the following Virginians, firms, and projects with 2017 Honors. These awards will be presented at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 3, at the Hotel John Marshall.

Jane Cady Rathbone, FAIA, President and CEO of Hanbury in Norfolk, will be recognized with the William C. Noland Medal. The William C. Noland Medal is the highest award bestowed on a member architect and is intended to honor a distinguished body of accomplishments, sustained over time, that spans a broad spectrum of the profession and that transcends the scope of normal professional activities.

Through her prolific body of work and practice of nearly 40 years, Rathbone has become an international influence on the planning and design of living-learning communities as vital components in the academic, social, and architectural fabric of university campuses throughout America and abroad. Her colleague and nominator Nicholas Vlattas, AIA, says, “She has caused universities to recognize that intentional planning of the collegiate residential experience results in significant out-of-the-classroom learning and fosters sustained emotional attachment to place.” Today, her influence, and that of the firm is felt on more than 150 campuses.

Architectural historian Calder C. Loth will be recognized with the Architecture Medal for Virginia Service. The Architecture Medal for Virginia Service is AIA Virginia’s most prestigious public award, honoring an individual or organization that has made an unusually significant contribution to Virginia’s built environment or to the public’s understanding and awareness of the built environment.

A tireless teacher and prolific author, Calder Loth’s efforts to preserve Virginia’s architectural legacy have impacted all residents of the Commonwealth. Loth spent four decades on the staff of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) as an advocate, educator, and historian after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architectural history from the University of Virginia. Even after his 2009 retirement, he continues to be consulted for his expertise by individual landmark owners, Virginia historic site managers, universities, and international forums.

Richard Bierce, AIA, Kathleen Galvin, AIA, and Paula Loomis, FAIA, will be recognized with The Award for Distinguished Achievement. 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.

An architect and preservation consultant, Richard Bierce has dedicated his career to the preservation of Virginia’s rich architectural legacy. From serving as Alexandria’s historic resources director to a decade’s tenure with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to his own consultancy, his efforts on behalf of many of the Commonwealth’s historic treasures have had immeasurable impact.

Kathleen Galvin, principal at Galvin Architects, has devoted more than three decades to smart growth management, equitable redevelopment, and creative place-making. Her urban design projects across the Commonwealth have benefited Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Orange, Mt. Jackson, Gordonsville, and Crozet. Nominators cited her talent to build consensus and to introduce others to the value of sensitive design thinking and problem-solving.

Throughout her career as both a military and civilian public architect, Dr. Paula Loomis has emphasized the importance of public architecture and the value of quality design in public buildings and places. Her service to the profession ranges from chapter to national level. As the Hampton Roads AIA president, Loomis encouraged the successful redevelopment of Norfolk’s Granby Street and initiated efforts to enhance public transportation in the region. She has also stood at the forefront of design excellence in the military services. As the base architect at Langley Air Force Base, for example, Loomis developed base architectural standards that returned Langley to its Tudor-Gothic roots. She went on to create standards for all Air Combat Command bases, as well as for other major commands, more recently incorporating sustainability requirements.

Richmond steel fabricators Liphart Steel Company will be recognized with AIA Virginia Honors. AIA Virginia  Honors may be bestowed on non-member individuals or organizations that have inspired, influenced, or complemented the architecture profession in Virginia through the practice of an allied profession, research, education, planning, legislation, architectural writing, the arts, or crafts.

For nearly 80 years, Liphart Steel has served the architects of Virginia by bringing to realization their designs in both structural and ornamental iron and steel. Founded in Richmond in 1938, Liphart Steel has benefited from steady leadership. Its four chief executives each built on the reputation earned by his predecessors, recognizing the value of their relationships with design professionals, attention to detail, thorough execution, and fine craftsmanship. Thought to be the first company in Virginia to establish an employee stock ownership plan available to all employees, Liphart has been fully employee-owned since 1969. This desire to share the rewards of the company’s success has resulted in its ability to retain the experienced employees who have brought so many architects’ designs to fruition.

Kathleen R. Nosbisch Executive Director of the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA), will be recognized with Honorary Membership. Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a person of esteemed character who is not eligible for membership in the AIA Virginia but who has rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia.

For nearly a decade, Nosbisch has been committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the Commonwealth. An endorser notes that she “has a clear understanding of the needs of the professions she helps regulate and the ability of the state and her office to work effectively with the diverse elements of each professional community. As a dedicated patron of architecture across Virginia, Kate listens, thinks and delivers.”

The Virginia Eye Institute, designed by 3north principal Sanford Bond, FAIA, has been selected to receive AIA Virginia’s Test of Time award. The award recognizes a structure not less than 25 years nor more than 50 years from the date of initial construction; in addition, the project should still carry out the original program in a substantial manner and must be standing as originally designed in appearance and in good condition.

Located along the Kanawha Canal at the end of Richmond’s Huguenot Bridge, the Virginia Eye Institute is situated to take advantage of the unique site’s natural beauty and provide an environment that encourages patient comfort and healing. Completed in 1987, the building’s strong lines, light industrial aesthetic, and generous use of concrete and steel excited some controversy. Today, however, the Virginia Eye Institute has become a well-loved local landmark that still functions as originally designed.

Frazier Associates will be presented with the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Firm Award at the Visions for Architecture gala. Sometimes called the “firm award,” it is the highest honor bestowed by AIA Virginia to a Virginia-based architecture firm. It recognizes a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years.

The core principle of Frazier Associates’ 31 years of architecture practice has been to help preserve, sustain and creatively revitalize Virginia’s communities and institutions through historic preservation and contextual design. Their extensive work in architecture, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and revitalization totals nearly 3,000 projects. The scope of their public and private architecture in dozens of Virginia communities consistently demonstrates the staying power of good design in the rejuvenation of historic buildings and creation of new ones. In addition, Frasier Associates has drafted more than 50 sets of design guidelines and pattern books for historic downtowns, neighborhoods, corridors and rural villages throughout the Southeast, and has been at the forefront of implementing wayfinding programs for communities in Virginia as well as nationally.

Braden Field, AIA, Associate at MTFA Architecture, Nathan Harper, AIA, Senior Associate at Spectrum Design, and Maggie Schubert, AIA, Project Architect at 3north will be recognized with The Virginia Emerging Professional Award. This award is intended to recognize the accomplishments of emerging leaders in Virginia for their contributions to the profession in one or more of the following categories: design, research, education, or discourse; service to the profession; mentorship; or service to the community.

A member of the 2016 class of AIA Virginia’s Emerging Leaders in Architecture, Field “ardently believes in architecture’s capacity for change, and he actively engages every project as an opportunity to learn, teach, and pursue great design,” his nomination notes. Field is dedicated to finding mentorship and service opportunities, strongly believing that he owes his success to rewarding mentorship and experience early in his career. He demonstrates his belief that the best way to make a difference in the profession is from within by serving as the Chair of the AIA Northern Virginia Young Architects Forum and as a Director on AIA Northern Virginia’s Board.

For more than a decade at Spectrum Design, Harper has a played vital role as designer on some of the firm’s most successful projects, often engaging clients in discussions “that have led to designs of greater vision than the client’s original expectation,” wrote his nominator. Harper has also demonstrated ability in the business of architecture, including marketing, construction documents, and construction administration – along with mentorship of the firm’s young professionals in both architecture and engineering. Finally, he has voluntarily advised community organizations including the Roanoke Arts Commission, The Square Society (serving Center in the Square), and Roanoke’s new children’s museum.

Schubert serves AIA actively at local, state and national levels; her work has contributed to the advancement of the profession, advancement of architectural education and service and mentorship to the next generation of architects. As her nomination notes, “She fills an important role in the profession through her focus on both professional and community engagement, as well as finding the bridge between the two.” For AIA Richmond she has served as a director, co-chair of the Young Architects and Interns Forum, and chair for Richmond Women in Design. Schubert’s leadership and passion for the profession continue as she currently serves as a regional representative on the national AIA Small Firm Exchange, as the Chair of AIA Virginia’s Art of Practice Conference.