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Category: Announcements

Apply to the 2026 Board of Directors

Posted on by Malachi G

AIA Atlanta is now accepting applications for the 2026 Board of Directors. This is your opportunity to step into leadership, bring energy and vision to the profession, and serve nearly 2,000 members who look to our chapter for direction and impact.

We’re seeking passionate, engaged architects who want to do more than hold a title — leaders ready to advocate for the profession, elevate peers, and push AIA Atlanta forward. Whether your strengths are in finance, continuing education, advocacy, or community building, there’s a place for your voice and leadership at the table.

Review the six open positions and apply today to help shape the future of AIA Atlanta. Applications close October 21, 2025.

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AIA Atlanta Opens Submissions for 2025 Awards for Architectural Distinction

Posted on by Malachi G

ATLANTA — June 30, 2025 — AIA Atlanta is now accepting submissions for the 2025 Awards for Architectural Distinction (AAD), a unified program that honors both the built work and the individuals shaping the future of architecture. Submissions are open through August 29, 2025.

This year’s program brings together two distinct paths — Places and People — under one banner to elevate excellence across the profession. The streamlined approach aligns the submission period and co-brands what were previously separate programs to increase visibility and impact.

Places, formerly known as the Residential & Hospitality Design Awards (RHDA), celebrates outstanding architectural projects across residential, commercial, hospitality, and institutional categories.

People, formerly the Honor Awards, recognizes individuals and firms whose service, leadership, and innovation are advancing the profession. Categories include Sole Practitioner of the Year, Firm of the Year, and the Exceptional Young Architect Award, among others.

Winners will be recognized during Build Something Great, AIA Atlanta’s annual awards celebration, taking place on November 15 at Buckhead Theatre.

Learn more and submit at aiaatl.org/awards-recognition

Photo: Ten 5 Summerhill by XMETRICAL (Galina Coada)

Introducing the AIA Atlanta Awards for Architectural Distinction

Posted on by Malachi G

For nearly a decade, AIA Atlanta has celebrated excellence in the built environment through its annual design awards. What began as the Residential Design Awards, later expanding to the Residential & Hospitality Design Awards, has grown in both scope and impact, reflecting the evolving work of Georgia architects.

Today, we’re proud to unveil a new name for our flagship awards program: the Awards for Architectural Distinction.

This new name is more than a rebrand; it represents a broader vision of what truly matters—distinction in concept, execution, and impact across a broader range of typologies.

Why the Change?

Our members produce work that is not confined to a single project type or place. From innovative public buildings to commercial campuses and culturally rooted homes, the profession is more expansive and influential than ever.

The Awards for Architectural Distinction reflect that evolution. The program is now open to new project types located anywhere in the world, as long as they are designed by a Georgia-registered architect.

What’s Included

The program now houses two distinct pathways for recognition:

Places Awards

For built projects of exceptional quality, innovation, and problem-solving. Juried by nationally recognized leaders in architecture and design. Accepted project types include:

  • Commercial
  • Hospitality
  • Institutional
  • Residential

People Awards

For people and firms shaping the profession. From emerging talent to lifetime achievement, these honors recognize those whose leadership, service, and creativity are making a lasting mark.

Both will be presented at our annual celebration, Build Something Great, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Buckhead Theatre.

Submission Details

Detailed categories and submission criteria will be available at a later date. Submissions for the 2025 Awards for Architectural Distinction open on Monday, June 30, and will close on Friday, August 29.

Featured Project: Nami
Firm: ASD | SKY
Category: Restaurant – New Construction
Award: 2024 Honor Award
Photographer: Richard Cadan

View All Winners »

Call for Proposals: 2025 AIA Aspire Conference

Posted on by Malachi G

The Aspire conference, hosted by the AIA state chapters of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, returns to Asheville for three days of thought-provoking presentations, panel discussions, and workshops on industry challenges.

Join us from September 14 to 16 for a transformative experience where collective knowledge grows, connections deepen, and inspiration soars. Proposals for presentations, tours, and events are now open. Submit a proposal to contribute to a movement of innovation and creativity!

Submissions close on Monday, February 10.

Submit a Proposal

America ByDesign: Architecture Partnership

Posted on by Malachi G

ATLANTA — January 15, 2025 —AIA Atlanta is excited to join 12 AIA sister chapters in partnership with “America ByDesign: Architecture,” a television series featured on CBS and YouTube.

The partnership aims to increase visibility for outstanding architecture, sustainability, and community impact by AIA members, putting Atlanta on a national stage.

“The AIA community is ByDesign TV’s community,” said Executive Producer Mike Chapman in an earlier statement. “We are excited about this latest series of ‘America ByDesign: Architecture,’ and I can’t think of a more appropriate and deserving audience to share this new series with first, ahead of the general public.”

Before these stories air to audiences across the world, AIA Atlanta will host a public screening highlighting select projects, joined by  Chapman.

Episodes of “America ByDesign” are available for preview on aia.org and stream live on Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

 

2024 RHDA Winners Revealed

Posted on by Malachi G

ATLANTA — November 16, 2024 — AIA Atlanta is delighted to announce the winners of the 11th Annual Residential & Hospitality Design Awards (RHDA), celebrating exceptional architectural achievements in residential and hospitality projects. The awards were presented during Build Something Great at Buckhead Theatre on Friday, November 15.

The RHDA program honors projects that exemplify design excellence, educate the public on the value of high-quality architecture, and position architects as innovative problem-solvers. This year’s competition attracted submissions from Atlanta to the Cayman Islands, showcasing diverse projects that push the boundaries of design.

The 2024 RHDA winners are:

Affordable & Workforce Housing

  • Edgewood Center II by Smith Dalia Architects — Merit Award
  • The Melody by The Beck Group — Merit Award

Multifamily & Mixed-Use – 50 Units or Less

  • Ten 5 Summerhill by XMETRICAL — Merit Award

Multifamily & Mixed-Use – Over 50 Units

  • The Goat Farm Apartments by Niles Bolton Associates — Honor Award

Single-Family – Contemporary

  • Honabach House by Philip Babb Architect — Merit Award

Restaurant — New Construction

  • Nami by ASD | SKY — Honor Award

Restaurant — Renovation or Tenant Build-out

  • Old Hickory Renovation by BLUR Workshop — Honor Award
  • Predalina by Smith Dalia Architects — Merit Award

Hotel — 101+ Guest Rooms

  • Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman by BLUR Workshop — Merit Award

AIA Atlanta extends heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and expresses gratitude to all participants for their contributions to advancing architectural excellence.

For more information about the winning projects, please visit aiaatl.org/rhda.

About AIA Atlanta

AIA Atlanta, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, represents 1,900 architects and designers in Metro Atlanta. AIA advocates for the value of architects and provides resources for continuing education, political advocacy, networking, and leadership development.

AIA Atlanta Announces 2024 RHDA Finalists

Posted on by Malachi G

ATLANTA — October 28, 2024 — AIA Atlanta is excited to announce the finalists for the 11th Annual Residential & Hospitality Design Awards (RHDA), which recognize outstanding architecture in residential and hospitality projects. RHDA showcases projects from around the world designed by Georgia architects and those located in Georgia by architects from anywhere in the United States.

The 2024 program was juried by prominent residential and hospitality architects, including Ben Allen, AIA (Studio BKA, New Orleans), Samantha Josaphat-Medina (Studio 397 Architecture, New York), and Vicki Yuan (Lake|Flato Architects, San Antonio).

The winners will be revealed at Build Something Great, presented by Dri-Design and YKK AP, at Buckhead Theatre on Friday, November 15, 2024

Finalists by Category

Affordable & Workforce Housing

  • Edgewood Center II – Smith Dalia Architects
  • The Melody – The Beck Group

Multifamily & Mixed-Use – 50 Units or Less

  • JD Kirkwood – XMETRICAL
  • Revival Lofts – Choate + Hertlein Architects
  • Ten 5 Summerhill – XMETRICAL

Multifamily & Mixed-Use – Over 50 Units

  • The Goat Farm Apartments – Niles Bolton Associates

Single-Family – Contemporary

  • Honabach House – Philip Babb Architect
  • The Level Up House – Jones Pierce Architects

Hotel — 101+ Guest Rooms

  • Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman – BLUR Workshop
  • Signia by Hilton Atlanta – Gensler

Restaurant — New Construction

  • Nami – ASD | SKY

Restaurant — Renovation or Tenant Build-out

  • Old Hickory Renovation – BLUR Workshop
  • Predalina – Smith Dalia Architects

About AIA Atlanta

AIA Atlanta, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, represents 1,900 architects and designers in Metro Atlanta. AIA advocates for the value of architects and provides resources for continuing education, political advocacy, networking, and leadership development.

For more details, visit the AIA Atlanta website.

2025 Board Applications Open

Posted on by Malachi G

Applications are now open for the 2025 AIA Atlanta Board of Directors. All active members are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact on a community of 1,900 members and beyond.

Marc Johnson, AIA, an associate at CHASM Architecture and 2016 NOMAtlanta President, will serve as president.

The board plays a critical role in shaping the future of the organization, whether your passion is advocacy, emerging professionals, or continuing education. Discover our current openings and submit your application by October 15, 2024

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