The American Institute of Architects Central Valley Chapter is delighted to announce the winners of the 2021 Design Awards program and the Emerging Professional Design Competition “Housing on the Edge” programs! Click here to see the 2021 Award recipients.
2021 Program Dates:
Registration Opens: May 20
Registration Deadline: Extended to July 9th
Submission Deadline: July 19
Exhibition Board Due: September 22
Awards Presentation: (tentative) October 9
Click here to visit the submission website.
The AIA Central Valley Design Awards program continues to be most prestigious recognition of design excellence that our Chapter bestows. The program demonstrates to the public the value of exceptional design and celebrates the outstanding work of AIA Central Valley architects, and AIA architects designing within our Chapter area.
Held biennially, the Design Awards program recognizes distinction in design in three classifications: Honor, Merit and Citation, for both built and un-built projects. Entry categories may include:
Commercial/Mixed Use
Institutional/Civic
Educational
Single-Family Residential
Multi-Family Residential
Adaptive Re-use/Renovation/Historic Preservation
Interior Architecture
Unbuilt / (“on the boards” projects, competition entries, feasibility studies, etc.)
Awards are not bestowed per category. Projects are grouped by category for ease of jury coordination only. Entries are not limited to listed categories.
The program also includes a Divine Detail Award, which Design Award entrants may enter at no additional charge, and a Regional Recognition Award, nominated by Chapter members and bestowed at the discretion of the Design Awards Committee, recognizing iconic architecture in our Chapter’s 17-county membership area.
Individuals or firms may submit any number of projects to the program. AIA Central Valley uses a paperless, digital submission entry process. Registration and submittal for all awards is completed online.
The Awards Ceremony is tentatively scheduled for October 9, 2021. Final date, time and location will be announced at a later date. Winners of the awards will be announced at the event, where they will be given their award certificates.
ENTRY FEES
$300 – Design Award Entry for AIA Central Valley Members
$450 – Design Award Entry for AIA members submitting projects in the AIA Central Valley Chapter area
$200 – Unbuilt Entry for AIA Central Valley Members
$250 – Unbuilt Entry for AIA members submitting projects in the AIA Central Valley Chapter area
$60 – Divine Detail (Note: Design Award Entrants may submit a Detail entry for FREE)
A non-refundable entry fee must be paid online at the time of registration. Registration is due by June 21st.
Visit www.aiacv.submittable.com for submission guidelines.
2021 Peer Jury – AIA Detroit
Saundra Little, FAIA, LEED AP, NOMA, Principal – Quinn Evans
Saundra is an accomplished architect and dedicated advocate for the revitalization of the urban realm. With expertise in building assessments and creative yet practical design strategies, she helps clients transform buildings, increase property values, and bring new life to aging communities. Saundra’s portfolio reflects the diversity of the neighborhoods she champions, with successful cultural, institutional, educational, and commercial projects of all sizes. Her work in design, revitalization, and adaptive use projects consistently demonstrates a respect and sensitivity to the unique architectural heritage of local neighborhoods. Through her devotion to this challenging work, she has helped renew, uplift, and sustain vulnerable communities.
Lisa Suave, AIA, CEO & Principal — Synecdoche
Co-Founding Principal and CEO of Synecdoche Design Studio (si-nek-duh-kee) an award winning design/make architecture practice with studios in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Also the Co-founder of StudioStudio, a modern venue and creative space in Ann Arbor. Lisa was also recently named Crain’s Detroit Notable Women in Design in 2020 and on Forbes Next 1000 in 2021. Lisa is a small business investor and incremental development partner on projects with an interest revolve around how the built environment can strengthen community and connection in creative new ways that results in the core mission of Do Good Work. A licensed architect in the State of Michigan and currently serves as a planning commissioner for the City of Ann Arbor. Holds degrees for M. Arch and MSc. in Conservation from Taubman College at the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate level courses at University of Detroit Mercy, Lawrence Technological University, and the University of Michigan Taubman College
Bob Varga, AIA, VicePresident, Design Principal — SmithGroup
The Michigan chapter of the American Institute for Architects named Bob its “Young Architect of the Year” in 2010, and no wonder. Before age 40, he had already designed a long list of award-winning and memorable projects, including The Christman Building, the rehabilitation of a 1928 office building on the National Register of Historic Places that earned three LEED Platinum certifications. He’s as grateful for the opportunities and the collaborative efforts of his coworkers as we are for his talents. It wasn’t so long ago he worked on his first project, an auto parts store. “Now I’m doing $100-million hospitals,” he marvels. “I’m excited about the work we are doing-the level of effort, the quality, and knowing that the end product is going to become an incredible experience for the people using it.” Bob tells us his hidden talent is that he’s “a pretty good short order cook.” No wonder he handles complex projects so well.