2025 AIA Virginia Prize Jury Announced

Posted on by Delaney Ogden

AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the jury for the 2025 AIA Virginia Prize. The competition — which took place over the weekend of January 31-February 2 —challenged students to design a public toilet for the local municipality of Alexandria, Virginia in the vicinity of the King Street Metro Station. The facility should serve to support and further the city’s identity and image, creating an environment that elevates the program into an architecturally significant design.

Each school’s faculty reviewed the submissions and sent up to 10 finalists for final consideration by the jury which is chaired by Julie Nelson, AIA.

About the Jury

Julie Nelson, AIA, Partner

Julie became a Partner at BKSK in 2009. Her work ranges across typologies and disciplines – distinguished by design ambition that celebrates place, community, and environmental stewardship. As Partner in Charge and Lead Designer, she has been responsible for the design and construction of many of BKSK’s architecturally ambitious and complex civic and institutional projects. Julia was an Adjunct Professor at the City College Spitzer School of Architecture, teaching Design Studio and Professional Practice. An advocate for women in practice, Julia has been an active participant in mentoring through the AIANY Women in Architecture Committee. Julie holds both Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Architecture from the University of Virginia.

Todd Poisson, AIA, Partner

Todd became a Partner at BKSK in 2009 and has over 30 years of experience in the architecture profession. As Partner in Charge and Lead designer, he has been responsible for the design and construction of many of BKSK’s most architecturally and technologically ambitious projects, ranging between institutional, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use types. Todd received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, and has enjoyed interviewing aspiring architectural students for admission in the program for 20 years.

David Kubik, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Partner

David Kubik joined BKSK in 2003 and was named Partner in 2018. He plays a strong role in the design of both institutional and development projects, and pays careful attention to details in both custom interior work and base building new construction. David has extensive experience coordinating large consultant teams on complex projects. David has served as Adjunct Assistant Professor at City Tech’s program for Architectural Technology.  He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Maryland, where he was awarded the Thesis Citation.

Harpreet Dhaliwal, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects), Partner

Since joining BKSK in 2004, and being named Partner in 2025, Harpreet has overseen a variety of Public, Institutional, and Non-profit projects that weave together sustainability, community, and mission. Through her experience working with the NYC Department of Design and Construction, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, NY State Parks, and Queens Public Library, among others, she has developed a deep understanding of public agency process, requirements, and standards. Harpreet received her Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia.

Click here to learn more about a recent Hanbury project that addressed challenges of public restrooms at the Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, VA.

2023 Prize Challenge Released

Posted on by cguske

The 2023 AIA Virginia Prize competition kicks off the spring semester by offering students the opportunity to win a $2,000 prize. Three additional $300 “Best of School” prizes will also be awarded. The competition is a design charrette that engages students enrolled in accredited architecture programs in Virginia over the weekend of Feb. 10-13, 2023.

See the competition brief.

2022 AIA Virginia Prize Jury Announced

Posted on by cguske

AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the jury for the 2022 AIA Virginia Prize. The competition — which took place over the weekend of Jan. 21–24 —challenged students to craft an architectural proposition in the form of a passenger rail station to serve Virginia’s New River Valley.

The AIA Virginia Prize is a design charrette that engages students at the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia.  Conducted simultaneously at each institution, students are given the competition program Friday at 5 p.m. They work over the weekend to create a board presenting their design solution by 9 a.m. the following Monday.  The competition is intended to promote collaboration between the profession, students, and professors in Virginia.

Each school’s faculty reviewed the submissions and sent up to 10 finalists for final consideration by the jury which will be chaired by Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, AIA.

About the Jury

Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, AIA ~ Jury Chair
Carolyn Rickard-Brideau is Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, an international architecture and design firm.

Christopher Charles, AIA
Christopher Charles is an Associate Principal with Hanbury’s Norfolk office.

Wilson Rayfield, AIA
Wilson Rayfield is Executive Vice President, Aviation with Gresham Smith.

Ken Thacker, AIA
Ken Thacker is a principal with VMDO’s Charlottesville office.

Kevin Byrd, AICP
Kevin Byrd is Executive Director at New River Valley Regional Commission.

Ryan Ives, RLA
Ryan Ives is an Associate and landscape architect Senior Designer in Little’s Durham office.

2022 AIA Virginia Prize Launches Jan. 21

Posted on by cguske

The 2022 AIA Virginia Prize competition kicks off the spring semester by offering students the opportunity to win a $2,000 prize.

Any student enrolled in one of the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia is eligible to compete in the competition which will take place over the weekend of Jan. 21-24, 2022.

Universities send up to 10 finalists to be reviewed by a jury of respected Virginia practitioners. The winners will be announced later this spring. In addition to the $2,000 prize, three $300 “Best of School” awards will be given.

About the AIA Virginia Prize

Conducted simultaneously at Hampton University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, the competition is a design charrette that engages students at all of the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia. Students are given the competition program on a Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. They work over the weekend to create a design solution and submit it by 9 a.m. the following Monday.

Launched in 1980, the competition is intended to promote collaboration between the profession, students, and professors in Virginia.

Development of the competition brief rotates between the four schools annually — the 2022 Prize challenge is being developed by Virginia Tech. Learn about last year’s competition.

2021 AIA Virginia Prize Panel Discussion

The 2021 AIA Virginia Prize competition — which took place over the weekend of Jan. 22–25 — was inspired by the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project and challenged students to design a pillar installation for the City of Alexandria’s Market Square. Each school’s faculty reviewed the submissions and sent up to 10 finalists for final consideration by the jury

In a new initiative this year, AIA Virginia is convening a post-competition conversation with the students from the 4 schools, the jurors, and designers from the region. The virtual panel discussion takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 16.

Register to see the winning submissions, hear jury comments, and join the discussion.

Submitted for AIA CES approval.

2021 Student Design Competition Launches Jan. 22

Posted on by cguske

The 2021 AIA Virginia Prize competition kicks off the spring semester by offering students the opportunity to win a $2,000 prize. Three additional $300 “Best of School” prizes will also be awarded. The competition is a design charrette that engages students at all the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia.

The 2021 AIA Virginia Prize launches on Friday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. and runs through Monday, Jan.25 at 9 a.m.

Conducted simultaneously at Hampton University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC), students work over the weekend to create a design solution. Each school’s faculty reviews the submissions and sends up to 10 finalists to AIA Virginia for judging by a statewide jury.

Development of the competition brief rotates between the four schools annually — the 2021 Prize challenge was developed by faculty at WAAC.

The competition was launched in 1980 and is intended to promote collaboration between the profession, students, and professors in Virginia. Watch for announcement about the winner in the coming months.

To see the winners of last year’s competition, check out the 2020 Prize announcement.

Interested in supporting the AIA Virginia Prize by becoming a sponsor? Contact Jody Cranford.

Jury Announced for 2020 AIA Virginia Prize

Posted on by cguske

AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the jury for the 2020 AIA Virginia Prize. The competition — which took place over the weekend of Jan. 24–27 — challenged students to design an oyster hatchery in Norfolk. Students were asked to imagine sustainable solutions where humans and nature could gracefully coexist. [Read the full competition brief.]

Each school’s faculty reviews the submissions and sends up to 10 finalists to Richmond for final consideration by the jury.

Jury

Bob Moje, FAIA, founding partner, VMDO Architects | Jury Chair
Patrick Farley, AIA, owner, Patrick Farley Architect
Lynden Garland, AIA, project manager, Baskervill
Donna Phaneuf, FAIA, president and lead design principal, VIA Design Architects
Chuck Swartz, FAIA, principal, Reader & Swartz Architects

The Prize is expected to be awarded in April.

About the AIA Virginia Prize

Conducted simultaneously at Hampton University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, the competition is a design charrette that engages students at all of the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia. Students are given the competition program on a Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. They work over the weekend to create a design solution and submit it by 9 a.m. the following Monday. The top submission wins a $2,2500 prize, with $250 prizes to each “Best of School” honoree.

Launched in 1980, the competition is intended to promote collaboration between the profession, students, and professors in Virginia. Historically, the charrette has taken place in January, however over the last several years, the competition has been hosted in September to accommodate an ongoing scheduling conflict at one of the schools. Now that the conflict has been resolved, the Prize weekend has shifted back to the spring semester to better align with the demands of the academic calendar.

Development of the competition brief rotates between the four schools annually — the 2020 Prize challenge was developed by Hampton University.

Student Competition Winner Announced

Posted on by cguske

AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the students recognized as honorees in 2019 AIA Virginia Prize competition.

AIA Virginia Prize
The top award and $3000 prize goes to Jackson Reed a student at Virginia Tech for the submission “Frames of Reference.” The jury recognized the elegant way the structure could be both unveiled and packed away, noting that there was “a kind of magic to how it captured the light.” The submission displayed a technical superiority and a “completeness” to its presentation. The jury appreciated the fresh approach to a shipping container building, particularly in the way the volume could be reconfigured.

"Frames of Reference" by Jackson Reed, Virginia Tech was awarded the AIA Virginia Prize.
“Frames of Reference” by Jackson Reed, Virginia Tech was awarded the AIA Virginia Prize.

Special Jury Award and Hampton University Best of School
The Best of School Award for Hampton University goes to Julian Washington for “Veggie Soul.” The jury appreciated that the submission was rooted in its cultural context as well as its inventive placement inside an existing building. They found the rendering particularly evocative, giving a true sense of the concept and placement. The jury found this submission particularly notable and elected to make a Special Jury Award of $500.

Veggie Soul" by Julian Washington, Hampton University - The Best of School Award and Special Jury Award
“Veggie Soul” by Julian Washington, Hampton University – The Best of School Award and Special Jury Award

University of Virginia Best of School
The Best of School Award for University of Virginia goes to Taha Suhrawardy for “Sic Parvis Magna Café.” They jury enjoyed the design’s informality counterbalanced with its placement within a formal setting. Its lightweight characteristics and structural creativity were interesting. The approach to mobility was notable.

“Sic Parvis Magna Café” by Taha Suhrawardy, University of Virginia – Best of School Award

Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center Best of School
The Best of School Award for the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center goes to Meredith Sattler for “Deadrise Oyster Bar.”  This entry expressed what the environment has to offer in a really simple, pleasurable way. The jury found the response to the tidal condition interesting.

“Deadrise Oyster Bar” by Meredith Sattler, Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center – Best of School Award

The following were recognized with an Honorable Mention

  • “The New Taste of Flow” submitted by Mengzhe Ye from University of Virginia
  • “The Hangout” submitted by Gary Garner from Hampton University
  • “King St. Pop Up Café” submitted by Juan Urey Fernandez from WAAC
  • “The Fulcrum” submitted by Andy Merida from Virginia Tech
  • “untitled” submitted by Anna Fletcher from Virginia Tech
  • “Boba — A Pop Up Bubble Tea Shop” submitted by Kirt Hilker from Virginia Tech


“The New Taste of Flow” submitted by Mengzhe Ye and Weiran Jing from University of Virginia
The jury appreciated the graphic approach. They found the innovative and thoughtfully-considered user experience notable.

“The Hangout” submitted by Gary Garner from Hampton University
The jury found the idea of using readily-available swing equipment to create seating and a dining environment refreshing.

“King St. Pop Up Café” submitted by Juan Urey Fernandez from the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center
The jury was pleased with the clean, comprehensive design. The site placement was clear and precise — there was little missing.

“The Fulcrum” submitted by Andy Merida from Virginia Tech
The jury appreciated the elegant simplicity of this submission and its implied invitation to engage your imagination.

“Boba — A Pop Up Bubble Tea Shop” submitted by Kirt Hilker from Virginia Tech
The jury delighted in the submission’s imaginative approach that was truly representative of a “pop up” café.

“untitled” submitted by Anna Fletcher from Virginia Tech
The jury found this entry and its story gripping. The graphics beautifully captured the mood and emotional context of the narrative.


About the Challenge

The competition — which took place over the weekend of Jan. 25–28 — challenged students to design a pop-up diner with a small kitchen, short-term supply storage, and a dining counter for standing and sitting customers. Students were asked to consider the energy, water, and waste flows in their solutions. [Read the full competition brief.]

About the AIA Virginia Prize

Conducted simultaneously at Hampton University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, the competition is a design charrette that engages students at all of the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia. Students are given the competition program on a Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. They work over the weekend to create a design solution and submit it by 9 a.m. the following Monday. The top submission wins a $3000 prize.

Launched in 1980, the competition is intended to promote collaboration between the profession, students, and professors in Virginia. Historically, the charrette has taken place in January, however over the last several years, the competition has been hosted in September to accommodate an ongoing scheduling conflict at one of the schools. Now that the conflict has been resolved, the Prize weekend has shifted back to the spring semester to better align with the demands of the academic calendar.

Development of the competition brief rotates between the four schools annually — the 2019 Prize challenge was developed by Virginia Tech.

About the Jury

Each school’s faculty reviews the submissions and sends up to 10 finalists to Richmond for final consideration by the following Jury.

Nick Serfass, FAIA, Executive Director, RVATECH | Jury Chair

Burt Pinnock, FAIA, Chairman, Baskervill

Lori Garrett, FAIA, Senior Principal & Director of Higher Education Studio, Glavé & Holmes

Patrick Thompson, Assoc. AIA, Associate, Commonwealth Architects

Donna Phaneuf, FAIA, President + Lead Design Principal, Via Design

Student Design Competition Offers $3000 Prize

Posted on by cguske

The AIA Virginia Prize design competition kicks off the new semester by offering students the opportunity to win a $3000 award. The competition is a design charrette that engages students at all of the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia.

Conducted simultaneously at Hampton University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, students are given the competition program on a Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. They work over the weekend to create a design solution and submit it by 9 a.m. the following Monday.

Each school’s faculty reviews the submissions and sends up to 10 finalists to Richmond for final judging.

Development of the competition brief rotates between the four schools annually — the 2019 Prize challenge was developed by Virginia Tech.

Launched in 1980, the competition is intended to promote collaboration between the profession, students, and professors in Virginia. Historically, the charrette has taken place in January, however over the last several years, the competition has been hosted in September to accommodate an ongoing scheduling conflict at one of the schools. Now that the conflict has been resolved, the Prize weekend is shifting back to the spring semester to better align with the demands of the academic calendar.

Watch for announcement of the winner in the coming months. If you’d like to get involved, contact Rhea George at rgeorge@aiava.org.

AIA Virginia Prize Weekend

The AIA Virginia Prize is a design charrette that engages students at all of the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia.  Conducted simultaneously at Hampton University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, students are given the competition program Friday at 5 p.m. They work over the weekend to create a board presenting their design solution at 9 a.m. the following Monday. Each school’s faculty reviews the submissions and sends up to 10 finalists to Richmond for final judging. Learn more about the AIA Virginia Prize.