FELLOWSHIP MEDALS AWARDED AT INVESTITURE. IMAGE CREDIT: EDWARD VANCE, FAIA, 2019 CHANCELLOR OF THE COLLEGE OF FELLOWS
Fellowship in AIA
AIA Fellows are recognized with the AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. Architects who have made significant contributions to the profession and society and who exemplify architectural excellence can become a member of the AIA College of Fellows. Only 3 percent of the AIA members have this distinction.
AIA Georgia boasts over 60 outstanding Fellows among its membership scattered across the State. To support our members in their fellowship process, we host monthly workshops (available in-person and online) with a panel of recent Fellows to review, answer questions, edit, and provide needed support. Interested? Read the “Two Questions” from Michael LeFevre, FAIA Emeritus.
Contact
K’Sandra Thomas
Direcfotr of Outreach
AIA Georgia
(678) 553 0507
Email: Click Here
Criteria
- AIA architect members who have been in good standing for at least 10 years may be nominated.
- Nominees must have completed 10 cumulative years as an AIA architect member prior to the nomination deadline.
- If uncertainties exist about the period of membership, and after consulting with the local chapter, please contact Membership History to verify the candidate’s eligibility prior to preparing the submission.
Objects of Nomination
OBJECT ONE: Design, urban design, or preservation
“To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession.”
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have produced distinguished bodies of work through design, urban design, or preservation. This may be accomplished through individual or organizational effort. Works submitted may be of any size for any client, of any scope and reflecting any type of architectural design service.
OBJECT TWO: Education, research, literature, or practice (with the option of a subcategory of management or technical advancement)
“To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training, and practice.”
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have made notable contributions through their work in education, research, literature, or the practice of architecture. Work in education may be teaching, research, administration, or writing and should have a lasting impact, be widely recognized, and provide inspiration to others in the field and the profession. Research areas may include building codes and standards, specifications, new material applications, or inventions. Practice includes firm management, administration, and project management or specialty areas (specific building types, technical expertise).
OBJECT THREE: Led the Institute, or a related organization
“To coordinate the building industry, and the profession of architecture.”
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have actively, efficiently, and cooperatively led the Institute or a related professional organization over a sustained period of time and have gained widespread recognition for the results of their work.
OBJECT FOUR: Public service, government, industry, or organization
“To ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment.”
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have made notable contributions in public service or work in government or industry organizations through leadership in the development of civic improvements and needed governmental projects, including such elements as conservation, beautification, land-use regulation, transportation, or the removal of blighted areas, or who have clearly raised the standards of professional performance in these areas by advancing the administration of professional affairs in their fields.
OBJECT FIVE: Alternative career, volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment, or service to society
“To make the profession of ever-increasing service to society.”
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have made notable contributions to the public through alternative careers or volunteer work with organizations not directly connected to the built environment. Achievements may also be of a kind that transcends the other categories for advancement to serve society or humanity in a unique and important manner.
June 10, 2020: Informational Meeting: Returning and new Candidates and Sponsors. Candidates should review the submission “Objects” and have an understanding of which they would like to submit for. Candidates should prepare their 35-word zinger (your introductory statement should you be elevated which speaks to your focus).
July 8, 2020: Introductory Statement Meeting: Returning and new Candidates and Sponsors. Candidates should finalize their 35-word zinger. Candidates should also begin research on themselves to work into an introductory statement.
August 12, 2020: Initial Draft Review Meeting: Candidates at a minimum should have drafted their introductory statement and have an outline of contents of their binder including identification of exhibits and references. Candidates will present their object of nomination and summarize their statement to the committee.
September 9, 2020: Revised Draft due: Candidates at a minimum should have finalized their summary, developed their achievements and settled on exhibits and references. Candidates will discuss their individual development plans.
*September 30, 2020: Final Nomination Package Draft due: Candidates at a minimum should have completed or are near completing their binders.
Georgia has a number of great examples of successful Fellowship applications. We have digitized a number of them for your review. Should you have questions about a Georgia Fellow’s submission not shown here, please contact us. PLEASE NOTE submissions prior to 2014 may not follow the jury’s recent recommendations.
Object 1
- 2006 Jack Pyburn (historic preservation)
- 1993 Ray Hoover (design)
- 1992 Larry Lord (design)
Object 2
- 2018 Robert Svedberg (practice management)
- 2017 Gerald Cowart (practice management)
- 2017 Leslie Gartner (practice technical advancement)
- 2016 Paula Burns McEvoy (practice technical advancement)
- 2016 Daniel Watch (research)
- 2015 Gary B. Coursey (practice)
- 2015 Thomas Jerry Lominack (practice management)
- 2014 Robert Paul Dean (practice technical advancement)
- 2014 Jack Portman (practice)
- 2001 Antonin “Tony” Aeck (practice management)
- 1998 James G. Fausett (education)
Object 3
- 2017 Mark L. Levine (led the institute)
- 2015 Ann Kolman Smith (led a related organization)
- 2007 Helen Hatch (led a related organization)
Object 4
- 2016 Liz Harriss York (government)
- 2012 Howard Wertheimer (government)
Object 5
- 2018 Melody Harclerode (service to society)
- 2003 Linda Ramsay (service to society)
More Resources
- Sample Fellowship Application; 2021 version
- Guide to Submitting for Fellowship; 2021 version
- Considering AIA Fellowship Self Reflection; Two Questions Why and How by Michael LeFevre, FAIA Emeritus
- Fellows Directory; list of Fellows from 2016-2019 updated yearly
- AIA College of Fellows; learn more about the College
- Fellowship Submission FAQs; National’s website updated yearly
- Demystifying Fellowship, for all career stages; webinar Q&A with former Jury Chairs and national staff