Honorary Membership

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Honorary membership is one of the highest honors that The American Institute of Architects can bestow upon a person outside the profession of architecture. Election to honorary membership may be granted to any person of esteemed character who is otherwise ineligible for membership in the Institute but who has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture or to the arts and sciences allied therewith. Membership is granted only if the accomplishments of the nominee are truly outstanding and of national significance. Click here to view all 2011 AIA Awards Recipients. 2011 Honors & Awards ceremony convention video clips.

Kate M. Brunswick, Honorary AIA

Kate M. Brunswick, Hon. AIA

  • Consistent and quiet leadership, and extraordinary service to the profession

The success of AIA Ohio over the last ten years is due in part to Kate Brunswick's consistent and quiet leadership. Through her dedication, Brunswick is able to motivate a diverse group of volunteers, and through a collaborative approach, she has garnered the highest degree of respect for her outstanding service to the profession.

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Deborah Stephens Burns, Honorary AIA

Deborah Stephens Burns, Hon. AIA

  • Enhancing professional development for components and members nationwide

Ensuring that component needs are heard and understood, Burns has generously given her time and expertise to important AIA committees... bringing us closer as One AIA.

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Howard E. Rachofsky, Honorary AIA and Cindy D. Rachofsky, Honorary AIA

Howard E. Rachofsky, Hon. AIA and Cindy D. Rachofsky, Hon. AIA

  • A selfless generosity to architecture and the arts

Howard and Cindy Rachofsky built a personal residence designed by AIA Gold Medalist Richard Meier, FAIA, which they donated to the Dallas Museum of Art. The house has become a resource for use by students and nonprofit organizations for educational and fundraising opportunities.

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Kristen Richards, Honorary AIA

Kristen Richards, Hon. AIA

  • Fighting for the Institute as a whole and for the value of design

Kristen Richards may consider herself an everyday architectural journalist at heart, but she has become arguably the most dominant disseminator of information and news in the architecture world today.

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Walter J. Hood Junior

Sonia Riggs, Hon. AIA

  • Promoting architecture through education, participation, and advocating excellence

Sonia Riggs' efforts to advance the profession extend above and beyond her duties as AIA Colorado Executive Director. She is an active leader representing AIA to the public and for 10 years has worked within the community to advance the profession of architecture.

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Barry Sears, Honorary AIA

Barry A. Sears, Hon. AIA

  • An ambassador for Chicago, America, and the architectural profession

It was Sears' professional background as a contributing editor, research analyst, and writer that stimulated his interest in historic architecture and led to his joining the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) . Sears has served as member of its Auxiliary Board since 1973, a docent since 1992, a "Special Tours Consultant," and its go-to "VIP Tour Director."

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