Below is high-level information about the program criteria to help you determine if you are a good fit for Honorary Fellowship. For full criteria and guidelines, please refer to the submission guide in the Resources tab.

Eligibility

“An architect of esteemed character and distinguished achievements who is not entitled to practice architecture in any state of the United States, is not a resident of the United States, and does not primarily practice architecture within the domain of the Institute, may be admitted to Honorary Fellowship.” AIA Bylaws, section 2.5

Honorary Fellowship is open to architects who:

• are not licensed to practice architecture in any U.S. state.
• do not primarily live or practice in the U.S.

Nomination

Any AIA member may nominate qualified individuals for Honorary Fellowship. Your nominator may also serve as your sponsor, if eligible.

Objects of Nomination

Object One: Design, urban design, or preservation

To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession.

Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have produced extensive bodies of distinguished work that has been broadly recognized for its design excellence through design, urban design, or preservation. This may be accomplished through individual or organizational effort. Works submitted may be of any size, for any client, of any scope, and reflecting any type of architectural design service.

Object Two: Practice Management, or Practice Technical Advancement

To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of practice.

Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions through their work in the practice of architecture. Practice management includes firm management, administration, and project management. Practice technical advancement includes specific building types, and technical expertise. For example, practice technical advancement of preservation projects might be based on the architect’s strong commitment to historical research, implementation of unique preservation technique, and coupled with their strong focus on the actual construction implementation to enhance our physical heritage.

Object Three: Led the Institute, or a related organization

To coordinate the building industry, and the profession of architecture.

Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have actively, efficiently, and cooperatively led the Institute or a related professional organization over a sustained period of time and have gained widespread recognition for the results of their work.

Object Four: Public service, government, industry, or organization

To ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment.

Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions in public service or work in government or industry organizations through leadership in the development of civic improvements and needed governmental projects, including such elements as conservation, beautification, land-use regulation, transportation, or the removal of blighted areas, or who have clearly raised the standards of professional performance in these areas by advancing the administration of professional affairs in their fields.

Object Five: Alternative career, volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment, or service to society

To make the profession of ever-increasing service to society.

Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions to one of the following: an alternative career related to architecture that illustrates outstanding achievements that supports the architectural profession; extensive volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment; or service that transcends the customary architectural practice that have wide reaching impacts that serve as a national model.

Object Six: Education, Research, Literature

To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education and training.

Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions through their work in education, research, or literature. Work in education may be teaching, research, administration, or writing and should have a lasting impact, be widely recognized, and provide inspiration to others in the field and the profession. Research areas may include building codes and standards, specifications, new material applications, or inventions.

Criteria

The jury considers how candidates have shown distinction in the context of their object, in relation to AIA's values, and whether their work has had a ripple effect.

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.
• New fellows will receive an invitation to participate in the College of Fellows Investiture ceremony where your family and friends can cheer you on, Convocation, and other COF events at the AIA Conference on Architecture. For more information about these events, contact cof@aia.org