Fellowship

Architect members may be nominated either by:

• The governing board of any chapter (state or local)
• A minimum of five (5) Fellows or ten (10) Architect members residing anywhere.

The jury considers how candidates have shown distinction in the context of their object, in relation to AIA's values, and whether their work has had a ripple effect.

Fellowship objects

The objects of nomination are essentially the award categories candidates apply under, and each object has specific criteria and requirements associated with it. The objects are identified in the AIA Rules of the Board (see: Rules, Section 2.5)

• Object 1: To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession. 
  Sub-objects: Design, Urban Design and Planning, Preservation

  Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have produced extensive bodies of distinguished work that has been broadly recognized for its design excellence 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 2: To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of practice.
  Sub-objects: Practice management, Practice Technical Advancement

  Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions through their work in the practice of architecture. Practice management includes firm management, administration, and project management. Practice technical advancement includes specific building types, and technical expertise. For example, practice technical advancement of preservation projects might be based on the architect’s strong commitment to historical research, implementation of unique preservation technique, and coupled with their strong focus on the actual construction implementation to enhance our physical heritage.

• Object 3: To coordinate the building industry, and the profession of architecture.
  Sub-objects: Led the Institute, Led a Related Organization

  Fellowship in this object 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 4: To ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment.
  Sub-objects: Public service, Government, Industry Organizations

  Fellowship in this object 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 5: To make the profession of ever-increasing service to society.
  Sub-objects: Alternative career, Service to Society, Volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment

  Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions to one of the following: an alternative career related to architecture that illustrates outstanding achievements that supports the architectural profession; extensive volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment; or service that transcends the customary architectural practice that have wide-reaching impacts that serve as a national model.

• Object 6: To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education and training.
  Sub-objects: Education, Research, Literature

  Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions through their work in education, research, or literature. 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.

The ripple effect

Candidates for Fellowship in the AIA are required to submit an application that include documentation of work that demonstrates the “ripple effect” they have had on the profession. This is shorthand for the impact you and your work have had on the profession of architecture and on society, beyond the day-to-day work of your practice or outside your geographic region. For examples, ripple effect could be demonstrated by public speaking, national and regional publications, mentoring, teaching, service to the profession, geographic impact, or legacy through others.

Candidates for fellowship must:

1. Be an AIA architect member in good standing. This also applies to Architect Emeritus members.
2. Have at least ten (10) cumulative years of architect membership prior to the submission deadline.

You can verify your membership tenure with your local chapter or by emailing our Archivist at aiamembershiphistory@aia.org. 

For the purposes of this program, candidates are considered “returning” only if they apply in consecutive cycles. Candidates for fellowship may apply three consecutive times before they must take a year off.  

• You are a First-year candidate if you did not apply in the previous cycle, whether it’s your first time applying, or you just took a year off.
• You are a Second-year candidate if you applied as a First-year in the immediate past cycle.
• You are a Third-year candidate if you applied as a Second-year in the immediate past cycle.

The benefit of applying as a second- or third- year is you have the ability to rollover references and other materials from the previous cycle. You also have the option to include more reference letters. 

More information on this is available in the application guide (under Resources).

• Submissions open: June 24, 2024
• Submission deadline: October 9, 2024 at 5pm ET
• Notification to candidates*: Mid-February 2025
• Public announcement: Late February 2025
• Investiture ceremony at AIA25: For more information, contact the AIA College of Fellows.

Fee: $450; You will not be asked to pay until your submission is complete.

* Please note that for confidentiality reasons, any update regarding submission status or feedback will only be sent to the candidate. It is the candidate’s purview to share that information with stakeholders such as their sponsor, AIA Component, etc. 

2025 Jury

Carl D'Silva, FAIA, Chair, Perkins&Will, Chicago, IL
Roderick Ashley, FAIA, Roderick Ashley Architect, Portland, OR
Margaret Carney, FAIA, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Sanford Garner, FAIA, RG Collaborative, Indianapolis, IN
Julie Hiromoto, FAIA, HKS, Dallas, TX
John Horky, FAIA, Ripples, by design, Milwaukee, WI
Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, Cameron MacAllister, St. Louis, MO
Marilys Nepomechie, FAIA, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Anne Schopf, FAIA, Mahlum, Seattle, WA
Kenneth Schwartz, FAIA, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Jose Javier Toro, FAIA, Toro Arquitectos, San Juan, PR 
 

Contacting the Jury

To protect the integrity of the awards process, active candidates are prohibited from contacting members of the jury or board during the submission process.  Communication with the jury and/or Board of Directors from the time of submittal to completion of the jury process by the candidate or anyone acting on their behalf is cause for immediate disqualification.  

Serving on the Jury of Fellows

Jurors serve staggered three-year terms to ensure continuity of the jury from year to year. Prior to the jury meeting, each juror typically reviews around 40 submissions, excluding submissions from their state and other recusals. It is the juror's responsibility to read all of their assigned submissions in sufficient detail to make a brief presentation to the remainder of the jury when the group convenes. In February of the submission year, the jury will convene for six days to review all of the submissions and decide on elevation. 

Recognition for this program typically includes the following elements but may be subject to change. Recipients will receive additional information about this cycle’s recognition benefits with their selection notification.

• Promotional recognition in AIA communication channels.
• New fellows will receive an invitation to participate in the AIA College of Fellows Investiture ceremony, AIA Awards Gala, and other COF events at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design. For more information about these events, contact cof@aia.org.