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As is customary, during this year's American Institute of Architects National Convention and Design Exposition in Las Vegas later this month, five architects will receive the 2005 AIA Young Architects Award. All at early stages in their careers, each of the recipients demonstrate exceptional characteristics in their professional work that herald a promising future. These architects' contributions range from creating award-winning and sustainable design to mentoring and teaching to leadership in their communities.

As a principal of the Washington, D.C.–based Inscape Studio, Rick Harlan Schneider, AIA, is widely recognized for his sustainable design practices. Schneider, in fact, received the AIA/D.C.'s Presidential Citation for Sustainable Design in 2002 and 2003. His work includes master planning for the greening of communities, and residences he's either designed or renovated to be more environmentally responsible. The architect is instrumental in bringing this sustainability to the community, for both architects and the general public, through educational programs with the National Building Museum and the Catholic University of America, as well as his role as chairman of the AIA/D.C. Committee on the Environment.

There are several areas in which Eric Strain, AIA, has sought to bring attention to the architecture of Las Vegas. Strain's own firm, assemblageStudio, has earned 18 awards for design excellence in both public- and private-sector projects. This architect, who grew up in the Las Vegas area, also plays an active role in the leadership of the local AIA chapter, where he has served as president and was instrumental in creating Architecture Las Vegas, a publication devoted to showcasing the local architecture. Strain's involvement is not limited to native architecture, but includes art and design in the community: He has served as director of the Nevada Institute for Contemporary Art and coordinates arts and design symposia.

Miguel Rivera, AIA, is recognized not only for his award-winning projects at Mitchell/Giurgola Architects, but also for his efforts at Miró Rivera Architects in Austin, Texas, where he is a principal of the firm. His projects, both public and private, have been acclaimed by local and national award programs as well as international publications. Originally from Puerto Rico, the architect also donates his time to various AIA Awards programs: He has served on juries in several states and filled the role of chair of the AIA New York City Design Awards Committee. He often serves as a studio review juror for architecture schools around the country.

Jeffrey DeGregorio, AIA, has used the early years of his career to create a role for himself in the Boston architectural community. At Payette Associates, he is currently a project architect and has worked on several large-scale renovations at higher-education institutions, including MIT, Tufts University School of Medicine, and Princeton University. DeGregorio developed the Young Designers Core, a program that promotes education and career growth within his firm. After the success of this program, DeGregorio initiated Payette Associates' first formalized mentorship program and also contributed to the formation of the Boston Society of Architect's Mentoring Program. Beyond his roles as designer and leader, DeGregorio teaches a design studio at the Boston Architectural Center and serves as a thesis adviser there.

As a project manager at Antinozzi Associates in Stratford, Connecticut, F. Michael Ayles, AIA, juggles a workload that includes design services for government agencies, educational facilities, and financial institutions. And while no longer an intern himself, Ayles has remained active in guiding emerging architects, specifically regarding internship and mentorship. He first worked on promoting the topic locally—for instance, he helped develop the Emerging Architectural Community, which serves associate and young architects, encouraging a focus on community service and providing opportunities for fellowship and networking. He soon moved into a national role with the AIA Intern/Associate Committee and the Young Architects Forum (YAF). As the 2004 chair of YAF, he wrote for numerous publications and spoke at several programs on the topic of firm-based intern programs and the importance of mentoring.

By Randi Greenberg

Links:
Inscape Studio www.inscapestudio.com
Miró Rivera Architects www.mirorivera.com
Antinozzi Associates www.antinozzi.com
Payette Associates www.payette.com