AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the jury for the 2021 AIA Virginia Prize. The competition — which took place over the weekend of Jan. 22–25 — was inspired by the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project and challenged students to design a pillar installation for the City of Alexandria’s Market Square. Each school’s faculty reviewed the submissions and sent up to 10 finalists for final consideration by the jury which will be chaired by Rob Reis, AIA. [See the complete jury list below.]
In a new initiative this year, AIA Virginia is convening a post-competition conversation with the students from the 4 schools, the jurors, and designers from the region. The virtual panel discussion takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 16. Register to see the winning submissions, hear jury comments, and join the discussion.
About the Jury
Chair: Robert V. Reis, AIA, Principal and Design Director, Hanbury
Robert Reis is a design principal and design director at Hanbury, providing leadership for the firm in both projects and competitions. His award-winning designs throughout the United States and abroad include a wide range of project types in government, higher education, and corporate-commercial sectors.
Audrey Davis, Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum
Audrey Davis has worked at the Alexandria Black History Museum since 1993 and was appointed Director of the museum in 2014. Davis was one of five authors of the History Press book, “African Americans of Alexandria, Virginia: Beacons of Light in the 20th Century” and has served on the Board of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy.
Brad Grant, Professor, Department of Architecture, Howard University
Howard University architecture professor Bradford Grant was named the first Instagram Artist-in-Residence at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in July 2020 and received the 2021 Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Distinguished Professor Award in March.
Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet, Design Advocate, Determined by Design
A design chameleon—Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet has the unique ability to tap into the heart of a community and give people a voice through design. With her diverse art and culturally-rich background as well as her multidisciplinary design experience, she is a versatile person who can help partners address any project challenge.
Sequoyah has a Bachelor of Art in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College—where she studied studio art, literature and anthropology—as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Moore College of Art + Design. Boutique Magazine recognized her as a 2020 Boutique 18—a rising star in hospitality design.
Chris Lee, FAIA, President, Johnson & Lee, Chicago
(Frank) Christopher Lee’s architectural practice has focused on designs for challenged urban communities. His practice serves as a model for the improvement of design standards that help rebuild social structure and provide architecture that enhances community life. Utilizing an inclusive approach enables the communities to voice their needs, programmatically, aesthetically, and culturally.
Ashley Montgomery, Assoc. AIA, Associate and leader of the Hanbury Resiliency Initiative, Hanbury
Ashley Montgomery, a recent Master of Architecture graduate with five years of experience as a land planning and environmental design project manager, has already left her imprint on the coastal