Duvall Decker receives the 2026 AIA Architecture Firm Award

WASHINGTON – December 4, 2025 – The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today honored Duvall Decker with the 2026 AIA Architecture Firm Award.
   
The annual AIA Architecture Firm Award is the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture practice. The award recognizes a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years.  

Founded in 1998 by Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, and Roy Decker, FAIA, the practice has established a powerful model for how architects can serve communities, particularly those with limited resources, by creating spaces that foster dignity, equity, and public good.

Duvall Decker has built a practice that redefines what it means to be an engaged architect. Their work is a testament to the idea that thoughtful design can be a catalyst for revitalization and empowerment in overlooked communities.

This commitment to community advocacy is woven into every project. Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, of Ross Barney Architects, recognizes this unique integration. “Few firms so fully integrate advocacy into every aspect of their practice,” she observes. “Duvall Decker has established a nationally recognized practice defined by design excellence and profound community advocacy ... their architecture stands as a physical expression of civic responsibility.”

This profound connection to community is evident in projects like:
•    The Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center at Tougaloo College: This center provides vital academic spaces while also housing the college’s vast art collection and serving as a hub for civil rights research.
•    The U.S. Courthouse in Greenville, Mississippi: This project was designed to be more than a government building; it aims to be an equitable benchmark that honors the character and history of Greenville.
•    Work with Jackson Public Schools: The firm’s “careful, incremental renovations” have played a vital role in elevating public education, a contribution described by Superintendent Errick L. Greene as “both rare and invaluable.”

Duvall Decker’s practice is an expanded one, often including services in real estate, project management, and even building maintenance to serve their communities holistically. They fix leaky pipes, help secure historic tax credits, and provide strategic planning—all part of their mission to build more livable, vibrant communities. This hands-on, comprehensive approach ensures their projects are not just aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable, functional, and economically beneficial for residents.

Duvall Decker serves as an inspiring example for the profession, proving that the most profound architecture is born from a deep sense of care, respect, and empathy. Their legacy is one of blending brilliant design with tireless advocacy, creating a model that will undoubtedly influence the next generation of architects to build a more equitable and beautiful world.

Learn more about Duvall Decker’s selection as the 2026 AIA Architecture Firm Award winner.