Christopher Charles, Assoc. AIA, Associate at Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company and Jeana Ripple, AIA, Founding Principal of Ripple Architecture Studio and Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia School of Architecture, will be recognized with The Virginia Emerging Professional Award at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at the Science Museum of Virginia. 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.
Christopher, who earned his Bachelor of Architecture at Hampton University, combines his exceptional leadership and engagement skills to collaborate with his clients, peers, and students whether it be in advancing the profession, mentoring, lecturing or teaching at his alma mater, or in service to his community.
“One of the many admirable characteristics Chris possesses is his commitment to gaining a wide variety of work experiences, in project types and scale, as well as each of the phases of design, bidding and construction. Chris recognized early he needs to fully comprehend the many facets of architecture in order to be a competent designer and well-rounded architect. This level of maturity for someone in Chris’ position is exemplary,” stated William Hopkins, Principal and Operations Director at Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company.
Jeana, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Notre Dame College of Engineering and her Master of Architecture at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, has balanced research and practice during her first decade of professional work. Jeana draws on this background to combine computational and material technology, seeking critical efficiencies in social, ecological and economic systems.
William H. Sherman, Professor of Architecture and Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Virginia said, “I recognize the importance of Jeana’s combination of deep domain knowledge, her capacity to collaborate with colleagues in other disciplines and her willingness and success at bringing her research into her practice and her classroom. These are the hallmarks of the best of a new generation of architects that will transform the disciplines and practices beyond the academy.”
For their accomplishments as emerging leaders in Virginia and for their contributions to the profession, AIA Virginia presents Christopher Charles and Jeana Ripple with the Virginia Emerging Professional Award.