Young Architect Award

This award is given to individuals licensed fewer than 10 years, and/or Associates who have passed the ARE, who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in an early stage of their architectural career.

Criteria

Recipients may be recognized for achievements in areas such as design excellence, sustainable design, community engagement, architectural practice, technological innovation, or education. The award also acknowledges leadership, AIA involvement, mentorship, and contributions to the broader architectural community, offering an open-ended scope for recognizing emerging architects’ diverse impacts on the profession and society.

Eligibility

  • To be eligible as a candidate for the Young Architects Award, members in good standing must be either:
    • An architect whose date of initial licensure is less than ten (10) years from the submission deadline.
    • An Associate who has passed the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
    • Or an International Associate who meets one of the qualifications listed above.

Recipients

2025: Emily Hagen Larkin AIA, Michele M. Hill AIA
2023: Neha Goel AIA
2022: Crystal Day AIA, Mona Zellers AIA
2021: Margaret Knight AIA, Chris Hellstern AIA
2020: Sarah Haase AIA, Garrett Reynolds AIA

2019: Peggy Heim AIA
2018: JoAnn Wilcox AIA
2017: Marijana Cvencek AIA
2016: Kjell Anderson AIA
2015: Brendan Connolly AIA
2014: Rico Quirindongo AIA
2013: Brian Court AIA
2012: Rachel Minnery AIA
2011: Myer Harrell AIA
2010: Bradley Khouri AIA

2009: Meredith Everist AIA
2008: David Goldberg AIA

Nominate an Individual

To nominate an individual for an award, please fill out this form.

Nominations received after Monday, December 8, 2025 will not be included in the 2026 awards cycle, but will be held to a future year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Anthony Collins, Senior Coordinator of Member Engagement.