Young Architects Award
The Young Architects Award recognizes AIA members in the early stage of their architectural career who have shown exceptional leadership in design, planning, education, and service to the profession.
Recognizing the exceptional work from young architects
Emerging talent deserves recognition. The Young Architects Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.
Explore information on AIA member eligibility, award criteria, submission schedule, submission resources, and past winners of the AIA Young Architects Award.
Questions? Email AIA Honors & Awards
Below is high-level information about the award program criteria to help you determine if you are a good fit for the Young Architect Award program. For full criteria and guidelines, please refer to the submission guide in the Resources tab.
Eligibility
The following members in good standing are eligible to be nominated:
- AIA architect members whose date of initial licensure is less than 10 years from the submission deadline.
- Associate AIA members who have passed the ARE.
- International AIA members who meet one of the qualifications listed above.
Nomination
Any AIA member in good standing may make nominations for the Associates Award.
Nominator responsibilities
Nominators support the candidates as they prepare their submission and are required to write a letter of support for the candidate which summarizes their contributions and introduces the portfolio.
Nominators also assist the candidate by acting as a point of contact for the reference writers and providing guidance as needed.
Criteria
Candidates are evaluated based on their contributions demonstrate commitment to:
- The value of design, practice, or education.
- Giving back to the profession through work with AIA or other industry-related organizations, mentoring, etc.
- Giving back to the community (through active unpaid service to the greater community).
The Ripple Effect
Candidates are asked to demonstrate the "ripple effect" they have had on the profession. This is shorthand for your impact beyond the day-to-day work of your practice or outside your community. Ripple effect could be demonstrated by speaking, publications, mentoring, service to the profession, geographic impact, or legacy through others.
Recognition
Recognition for this program typically includes the following elements but may be subject to change. Recipients will receive additional information about this cycle’s recognition benefits with their selection notification.
- Promotional recognition in AIA communication channels.
- Invitation for the recipient or a recipient representative to attend selected Honors & Awards event celebrations, commonly held during the annual AIA Conference.
Schedule & fees
Dates are subject to change:
- Submissions close: September 12, 2023, by 5pm ET
- Notification to recipients: Late January 2024
- Public announcement: Early March 2024
- Fee: There is a non-refundable fee of $150 for this program.
2024 Jury
Alicia Belton, FAIA, Chair, Urban Design Perspectives, Minneapolis
Derrick Choi, AIA, Gensler, Brookline, Mass.
Beau Frail, AIA, Fox Fox Studio/Activate Architecture, Savannah, Ga.
Allison Mendez, AIA, CannonDesign, St. Louis
Burt Pinnock, FAIA, Baskervill, Richmond, Va.
Jodi van der Wiel, FAIA, Moody Nolan, Cleveland
Contacting the jury:
To protect the integrity of the awards process, active nominees are prohibited from contacting members of the Jury during the submission process. Communication with jurors, from the time of submittal to completion of the jury process, by the candidate or anyone acting on their behalf is cause for immediate disqualification.
Submission guide & forms
The 2024 Young Architects Award sample application PDF contains the program's criteria, guidelines, and a preview of the fields you will be asked to complete on the submission site.
The DQ checklist includes potential criteria that can result in disqualification. Use it to cross-check your materials before you hit the submit button.
Previous submission examples
Each year jurors and staff identify exemplary submissions to guide you in preparing your own materials. Ultimately, your submission should be unique to you, but it can be helpful to see visual examples of how previous candidates have told their stories.
To request a copy of a submission not listed here, please email our archivist. Please note that the program criteria may have changed since these portfolios were submitted. We recommend that you always defer to the current cycle materials for criteria and formatting guidelines.
2023 Brien Graham, AIA
2023 David J. Wilson, AIA
2023 winners
Janica Ley Baker, AIA | NAC Architecture
Matthew Clapper, AIA | MAD
Jacob Davis, AIA | archimania
Allison Dvorak, AIA |Avera Health
Efrie Escott, AIA |KieranTimberlake
Simona Fischer, AIA | MSR Design
Shannon F. Gathings, AIA | Duvall Decker Architects, P.A.
Brien Graham, AIA | LPA Design Studios
Christopher M. Haedt, AIA |DesignGroup
Ryan R. Murphy, AIA | Shamrock+
Beresford Pratt, AIA | U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
Caroline Shannon, AIA |Gensler
Jason Takeuchi, AIA | Ferraro Choi and Associates, Ltd.
Kate Thuesen, AIA|DLR Group
Kimberly Tuttle, AIA | Gensler
Stephanie Vito, AIA | CannonDesign
David J. Wilson, AIA | HGA
Past winners