Today, The American Institute of Architects named three recipients of its 2021 Associates Award, recognizing the "outstanding leaders and creative thinkers" for their "significant contributions to their communities and the architecture profession," according to a press release from the Institute.
The annual AIA Associates Award is open to any unlicensed associate member of the Institute. The jury for the 2021 Associates Award comprised chair Britt Linderg, AIA, of Gensler in San Jose, Calif.; Karen Braitmayer, FAIA, of Studio Pacifica, in Seattle; Antoine Bryant, Assoc. AIA, of Moody Nolan in Houston; Damaris Hollingsworth, AIA, of Design by Melo, in Golden Valley, Minn.; and Paul Young of the City of Memphis, Tenn.
The winners of the 2021 AIA Associates Award are:
Oscar Lopez, Assoc. AIA
Co-founding principal, Space Bureau, Tucson, Ariz.
Recommending quote: "Writing from a number of perspectives, I can personally say that Oscar has accomplished more in his early career than many architects accomplish throughout their lifetime,” wrote 2020 AIA Arizona president Jack DeBartolo III FAIA, in a support letter. “I have invested countless hours with Oscar in planning and strategic thinking sessions, and he is always a stalwart champion of people and design, finding new and refreshing ways to celebrate the best of architecture and the people who bring it value.”
Tiara Hughes, Assoc. AIA
Senior urban designer, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago
Recommending quote: “Tiara is one of the youngest members to ever grace this commission, and her perspective has proven to be invaluable and a breath of fresh air,” wrote Maurice D. Cox, Hughes' colleague on the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, in a support letter. “She brings a unique viewpoint that is so important for reflecting the lived experiences of underrepresented communities of color, their concerns, and environments we deem worthy of preservation.”
Ricardo Maga Rojas, Assoc. AIA
Senior project coordinator, GFF, Austin, Texas
Recommending quote: “He admits there is much work to do and it is daunting, but he is brave and committed to making change,” wrote AIA Austin president Eric Rauser, AIA, in a support letter. “At a time when minority architects are needed to shoulder the burden of being the only one in the room in a profession that does not reflect the people in our communities, Ricardo is an inspiration and a bright spirit despite the difficult path ahead.”
To see more winners of the 2021 AIA Honor Awards, click here.
