(March 19, 2026. Sacramento, California) AIA California is delighted to announce the ten recipients of the prestigious 2026 California Awards. Nine individuals and one firm that encompass design excellence, the actualization of core values, and service to the profession. This year, the awards program features the previously separate category of AIA California’s Academy for Emerging Professionals Awards Emerging Professional Awards.
“Together, the 2026 California Award recipients embody practitioners influencing the past, present, and future of the profession,” said 2026 AIA California President Ginger Thompson, AIA. “We see amongst them: lifetimes of service, firms and individuals significantly influencing the profession today, and emerging professionals who already have set a course of commitment to architecture and supporting their peers.”
The 2026 California Award honorees are:
Lifetime Achievement Award : Tian Feng, FAIA
Twenty-five years ago, Tian Feng, FAIA, joined San Francisco Bay Area Transit District (BART) as the District Architect and began a journey implementing his vision while elevating the architect’s role envisioning and shepherding transportation projects nationally. Ultimately Tian’s work at BART and for the transit industry has influenced BART’s transformation from a machine-centric people mover to a human-centered service provider and community builder.
Jury Comments:
Increasing access to public transit is a niche that could easily be overlooked; the jury appreciates that Tian Feng, FAIA, chose to focus on it — transit should be accessible by all.
Feng has caried a tremendous career of service and leadership, not only directly through transit projects but through the AIA and California Architects Board as well.
Lifetime Achievement Award : Paul Woolford, FAIA
Paul Woolford, FAIA, has elevated architecture as both a cultural force and a public trust grounded in the belief that design excellence must be paired with social purpose. Beyond practice, Paul has shaped civic discourse through decades of public service—advising cities, serving on boards and commissions, and championing the role of architects in shaping equitable, resilient communities.
Jury Comments:
Befitting a lifetime achievement award recipient Paul Woolford, FAIA, has offered the profession a lifetime of contributions. As both a leader involved with the evolution of HOK, and co-leading the Master of Advanced Architectural Design Studio and engaging with UC Berkeley for three decades, Paul has a broad and deep impact on the profession, which extends globally.
Firm Award : Montalba Architects
For Montalba Architects, architecture exists at the intersection of art, philosophy, and lived reality. Founded in 2004 by David Montalba, the practice encompasses 60 professionals across the U.S, Europe, and Asia Pacific—with clients in 16 countries. This global interaction is realized in the firm’s work: influenced by mid-century modernism prevalent in California, the work integrates within it the conceptual clarity of Swiss design. Montalba’s Swiss office has created an information exchange between practitioners in the U.S. and Europe, notes AIA Gold Medal recipient Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, catalyzing exploration.
Jury Comments:
Montalba Architects demonstrates this wonderful balance of high-level design, industry engagement, and staff development and mentorship. Architecture is only as good as the people who are thinking about the architecture they’re making; when you have a good culture, that makes for better architecture.
Distinguished Practice Award : Jonathan Feldman, FAIA
Motivated by the urgency of the climate crisis, Jonathan Feldman, AIA, believes that architects have an obligation to devote their expertise to demonstrating the significant role the built environment plays in repairing our threatened ecosystems. His designs immerse buildings and their occupants in nature, and advance the regenerative strategies that aim to repair our threated ecosystem. A signatory of the AIA 2030 Challenge since 2016, Feldman Architecture was one of 31 signatories, nationally, reporting 80% pEUI reduction target across their entire portfolio in 2023. The firm also established an embodied carbon budget for each new project (100 metric tons) which was implemented across all new projects at the end of 2022.
Jury Comments:
Leading a firm that meets the AIA 2030 Commitment 80% pEUI reduction threshold, which is an accomplishment, in itself, Jonathan Feldman, FAIA, has advanced residential practice through measurable, systems-based sustainability leadership. He has taken a truly broad approach to applying sustainability; and he’s done it systematically and thoroughly. He has delivered innovative work that addresses climate responsive design.
Educator Award : D. Michael Hamner, FAIA
At East Los Angeles Community College, Michael Hamner has developed a uniquely successful Community College Architectural Program that trains future architects who truly reflect the diversity of our society, offering underserved and underrepresented students a route to our profession. He is committed to helping others realize and maximize their potential and ELAC students have become highly sought after by major Architecture programs both locally and nationwide.
Jury Comments:
Michael Hamner, FAIA’s legacy is highlighted by his commitment to educating young professionals from underserved communities, and delivering to them really good, really solid, thoughtful architecture classes. What’s also impressive is what he’s done with a community college system for the betterment of, not only the students, but the profession itself.
Young Architect Award : Anne Riggs, AIA
A leading statewide voice for inclusive design serving on the Certified Access Specialist Institute Board and the California Division of the State Architect’s Access Code Collaborative, Anne Riggs, AIA, is helping to drive a shift in the architecture profession toward disability-forward design. She advances inclusive, equitable housing by elevating accessibility as a core design value across multiple scales of practice.
Jury Comments:
Anne Riggs, AIA’s focus and pursuit of advancing inclusivity in architecture is meaningful, extensive, and is embedded throughout her work and early career and in her advocacy at local, state, and national levels. The fact that she has taken this core value up and is making it a centerpiece of her career is exciting.
Young Architect Award : Jaime Matheron, AIA
Jaime Matheron, AIA, is a Principal and Senior Architect at DAHLIN, recognized for her leadership in innovative residential design. Born and raised in East Bay, she finds it especially meaningful to design and build in the same communities that several generations of her family have called home. Deeply committed to advancing the profession, Matheron’s involvement with AIA began as co-chair of the Young Architects Forum and includes terms as President, AIA East Bay. She has focused on reducing barriers for emerging professionals.
Jury Comments:
Jaime Matheron, AIA’s, career as a young architect is distinguished by its balance between its professional trajectory and AIA and community contributions. She has risen to the level of Principal concurrent to her service at AIA East Bay including as President of AIA East Bay for two consecutive terms.
Associates Award : Marco Zhou, Assoc. AIA
Marco Zhou, Assoc. AIA, has distinguished himself through the contribution of meaningful service to peers at every level of his, albeit still early, career—as a student and emerging professional. The recipient of number of prestigious awards as a student and an emerging professional, he has and continues to make numerous contributions to bridge the gap between academia and the profession. Zhou has also built an impressively diverse career with respected firms that demonstrates his commitment to creative vision and technical fluency.
Jury Comments:
With a leadership trajectory that is clear and authentic, Marco Zhou, Assoc. AIA, has already distinguished himself in the profession and through service. His contributions to the mentorship pipeline work are strong and measurable. Commensurately, he is already demonstrating design impact through his professional track.
Student Leader Award : Desmond Ngo, AIAS
Desmond Ngo, AIAS, continuously seeks opportunities to strengthen community for students and foster connections for it within the broader architectural field. As Vice-President of his student council he focused on rebuilding student life and engagement still re-forming after COVID-19 shutdowns. His dedication extends beyond academic and extracurricular activities; he is also deeply engaged with the local architectural community, volunteering for the San Diego Architectural Foundation and the AIA. Through his participation in design-build competitions, he showcases his commitment to integrate his academic knowledge with practical, real-world applications.
Jury Comments:
Desmond Ngo, AIAS, is a strong campus leader with consistent engagement in AIAS, student council, foundation board service, and community involvement. His advocacy on behalf of his fellow students is to be applauded. His engagement outside of his academic life within his local community is impressive.
About the American Institute of Architects California (AIA CA)
AIA California is dedicated to serving its members, and uniting all architecture professionals in the design of a more just, equitable, and resilient future through advocacy, education, and political action. The organization represents the interests of more than 11,000 architects and allied professionals in California. Founded in 1944, the AIA CA is the largest component of the national AIA organization. For more information, visit www.aiacalifornia.org
