Amanda S. Barton, AIA
Amanda S. Barton, AIA, is a 2026 recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. She advances resilience and sustainability through design, advocacy, and mentorship—empowering communities and the next generation of architects.
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HKS INC.Pendry Barbados. 248,000 sf, 80-key luxury resort hotel with amenity spaces that include restaurants, a grand ballroom, meeting spaces, a spa, and tiering pool decks. HKS. -
Robin SeidelAmanda at AIA23, after giving a presentation on the importance of resilience design and how to integrate the Resilience Design Toolkit, which she co-authored, into a traditional design process. -
Daphne Gurri -
Amanda BartonAmanda, outside of the U.S. Capitol, advocating for resilient design and communities to congressional representatives at the federal level.
Amanda S. Barton, AIA, is a vice president and project designer at HKS whose work centers on resilience, sustainability, and community impact. Her projects and research—including contributions to the AIA Resilience Design Toolkit—demonstrate how design can address climate challenges while improving quality of life.
Barton’s leadership within AIA has been both extensive and impactful. As the youngest president of AIA Miami, she expanded membership, guided the chapter through a period of uncertainty, and advanced advocacy efforts at local and national levels—engaging directly with policymakers to influence the future of the built environment.
A dedicated mentor and advocate, Barton has created pathways for emerging professionals through education, outreach, and inclusive programming. Her work elevates underrepresented voices and fosters a culture of leadership, ensuring that the profession continues to grow stronger, more equitable, and more resilient.
The Young Architect Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.
See all the early career architects recognized for exceptional work.
Ceara O’Leary, AIA, is a 2026 recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. She is recognized for her human-centered design approach and dedication to mentoring the next generation of architects.
