The 2018 Jury of Fellows from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) elevated 152 member-architects to its prestigious College of Fellows, an honor awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the architecture profession. These new Fellows will be celebrated at the 2018 Region of the Virginias Fellows Fete in Richmond on April 28 and honored at a ceremony at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 in New York City.
Donna Phaneuf, FAIAAIA Hampton Roads
Donna Phaneuf is President/Lead Principal of VIA design architects, pc in Norfolk, Virginia. Whether producing legislation as Chair of the Downtown Norfolk Council Board of Directors, mentoring students interested in the profession, or seeking and winning new clients, Donna’s life and her profession are completely unified. Her work with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science led to an in-depth analysis of floodproofing regulations, exploring in great detail both traditional and more experimental options. Her work on Thoroughgood Elementary School has involved a close relationship with the students and teachers of the school, and has given these groups the opportunity to express their needs directly to her design team.
Edwin Schmidt, FAIAAIA Northern Virginia
Ed Schmidt is the Director of Project Management, North America for Nord Anglia Education. An AIA member since 1985, Ed has led the school inventory master planning effort for a number of urban communities including the District of Columbia; Detroit, Michigan; Providence, Rhode Island; and Syracuse, New York with this perspective on transformation. While managing the design of the Detroit School Construction Bond Program, Ed organized and oversaw a Summer Student Worker Program, employing almost 200 Detroit high school students over a three-year period and offering an incredible opportunity to improve the lives of these students. AIA award-winning examples of his school building repurposing have refocused attention back to responsive community architecture that allows for historic preservation, energy sustainability and community pride.
Ed Schmidt is the Director of Project Management, North America for Nord Anglia Education. An AIA member since 1985, Ed has led the school inventory master planning effort for a number of urban communities including the District of Columbia; Detroit, Michigan; Providence, Rhode Island; and Syracuse, New York with this perspective on transformation. While managing the design of the Detroit School Construction Bond Program, Ed organized and oversaw a Summer Student Worker Program, employing almost 200 Detroit high school students over a three-year period and offering an incredible opportunity to improve the lives of these students. AIA award-winning examples of his school building repurposing have refocused attention back to responsive community architecture that allows for historic preservation, energy sustainability and community pride.
Nick Serfass, FAIAAIA RichmondNick Serfass currently serves as AIAS Executive Director. In that position, he has created new events like “AIAS: Imagine” and expanded existing events like “AIAS Grassroots,” all of which provided access to real-world content that propelled AIAS members beyond studio. While at NCARB, Nick founded the “Intern Think Tank,” NCARB’s first committee dedicated to embracing the emerging professional perspective and granting that voice a spotlight in the licensure discussion. Largely a result of Nick’s work, today’s licensure candidates have many more reliable places to turn to in order to ensure a successful path into the profession.
Robert Steele, FAIAAIA RichmondBob Steele is Principal Architect at BOB Architecture in Richmond, Virginia. For the past 30 years, his studio in Richmond has produced a number of noteworthy commissions. He has served his community as part of the Public Arts Commission, chairing the committee for two years. During his tenure, more than a dozen installations of major public sculpture were placed. Bob also serves on the steering committee for the Branch Museum for Architecture and Design, and helped launch an awards program that will foster an ever-increasing understanding and appreciation of architecture and design to the public.
Edward Tucker, FAIAAIA West VirginiaEd Tucker is Principal Architect at Edward Tucker Architects in Huntington, West Virginia. Among his many accomplishments, Ed’s community leadership led to the creation of a 26-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail system, reviving parts of the city and promoting healthy and environmentally friendly activities.He also led the revitalization of downtown, creating a popular link between Marshall University and downtown Huntington, and was the visionary behind the redevelopment of Pullman Square, including an intermodal transportation/urban mixed-use center. On the national level, Ed served on the AIA Board of Directors and the Finance and Audit Committee with distinction, contributing to the AIA’s financial health during a challenging economic time.