FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shannon Calder
Assoc. Director of Communications
(916) 642-1718
ACADEMY OF EMERGING PROFESSIONALS AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
American Institute of Architects, California Council, Recognizes Dedicated Professionals
Sacramento, Calif.—Not only have the best and the brightest minds been recognized, but those who support architects in the early stages of their career. The 5th Annual AIACC Academy of Emerging Professionals Awards Program jury met in October to deliberate all of the extraordinary candidates who submitted.
The Educator Award went to Ingalil Wahlroos-Ritter, AIA. Wahlroos-Ritter currently serves as the interim Dean in the School of Architecture at Woodbury University. The jury was particularly impressed with how she has advocated and shaped young architectural minds. She has taught at Yale, Cornell, the Bartlett and SCI-Arc Universities. Her presence was particularly noted while at a July panel discussion the AIACC conducted while at Woodbury University in July. “She is clearly worthy and her enthusiasm is obviously contagious,” said current AIACC President, Michael Malinowski, AIA.
The AEP Associates Award recipients for 2016 are Shohreh Khodabakhshi, Accoc. AIA, and Jason Morris, Assoc. AIA. Khodabakhshi’s work was called “breathtaking and unusual.” The jury was impressed with how incredibly active she is within so many innovative programs. “I am impressed with her breadth, depth and passion,” said a juror.
Morris also showed great achievement in concepts and delivery. The jury was impressed with the inordinate amount of thought time as well as delivery time it would take to see his projects into fruition.
Only more great things can come from these two, and the jury is patiently awaiting what else they can achieve once they are licensed.
The Chapter Award this year goes to AIA Pasadena & Foothill. They have done so much for emerging professionals. “We need these programs they have started to happen all over the AIA,” said one juror, “they are knocking it out of the park.”
The Young Architect Award category was filled with very strong candidates, but ultimately went to Alvin Huang, AIA of SDA. With his own already award-winning firm, Huang has managed to build an established and impressive portfolio of work. His work has been widely published and holds more than 30 distinctions from the local to international levels. The jury noted how he seems to be firing on every cylinder and how the profession, as well as the public, are always curious as to what is coming next from Huang.
All recipients will be recognized Nov. 18 at the Leadership Institute in San Francisco.
For more information, please contact Shannon Calder 916-642-1718.
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The AIACC represents the interests of more than 11,000 architects and allied professionals in California. Founded in 1944, The AIACC’s mission supports architects in their endeavors to improve the quality of life for all Californians by creating more livable communities, sustainable designs and quality work environments. Today, The AIACC is the largest component of the national AIA organization. For more information, visit www.aiacc.org.