Braden Field, AIA, Associate at MTFA Architecture, Nathan Harper, AIA, Senior Associate at Spectrum Design, and Maggie Schubert, AIA, Project Architect at 3north will be recognized with the Virginia Emerging Professional Award at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, at the Hotel John Marshall. The Virginia Emerging Professional Award is intended to recognize the accomplishments of emerging leaders in Virginia for their contributions to the profession in one or more of the following categories: design, research, education, or discourse; service to the profession; mentorship; or service to the community.
A member of the 2016 class of AIA Virginia’s Emerging Leaders in Architecture, Field “ardently believes in architecture’s capacity for change, and he actively engages every project as an opportunity to learn, teach, and pursue great design,” his nomination notes. Field is dedicated to finding mentorship and service opportunities, strongly believing that he owes his success to rewarding mentorship and experience early in his career. He demonstrates his belief that the best way to make a difference in the profession is from within by serving as the Chair of the AIA Northern Virginia Young Architects Forum and as a Director on AIA Northern Virginia’s Board.
For more than a decade at Spectrum Design, Harper has a played vital role as designer on some of the firm’s most successful projects, often engaging clients in discussions “that have led to designs of greater vision than the client’s original expectation,” wrote his nominator. Harper has also demonstrated ability in the business of architecture, including marketing, construction documents, and construction administration – along with mentorship of the firm’s young professionals in both architecture and engineering. Finally, he has voluntarily advised community organizations including the Roanoke Arts Commission, The Square Society (serving Center in the Square), and Roanoke’s new children’s museum.
Schubert serves AIA actively at local, state and national levels; her work has contributed to the advancement of the profession, advancement of architectural education and service and mentorship to the next generation of architects. As her nomination notes, “She fills an important role in the profession through her focus on both professional and community engagement, as well as finding the bridge between the two.” For AIA Richmond she has served as a director, co-chair of the Young Architects and Interns Forum, and chair for Richmond Women in Design. Schubert’s leadership and passion for the profession continue as she currently serves as a regional representative on the national AIA Small Firm Exchange, as the Chair of AIA Virginia’s Art of Practice Conference.