The AIA Virginia Awards for Excellence in Architecture and Honor Awards were presented Nov. 3 at the 2017 Visions for Architecture gala at the Hotel John Marshall.
All photos by Dan Currier
AIA Virginia 2017 Honors Video Presentation
AIA Virginia 2017 Awards for Excellence in Architecture Video Presentation
Marie Zawistowski will be recognized with Society Honors at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, at the Jefferson Hotel. Society Honors are bestowed upon organizations or citizens who have inspired, influenced, or complemented architecture or the architecture profession in Virginia through an allied profession, research, education, planning, legislation, journalism, the arts, or crafts.
In 2008 Marie Zawistowski joined the faculty at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture + Design, where she co-teaches with Keith Zawistowski. In addition to teaching Professional Practice, Building Analysis, and Building Assemblies, they founded the design/buildLAB. The design/buildLAB is a project-based, experiential-learning program focused on the research, development and implementation of innovative construction methods and architectural designs. Students collaborate with local communities and industry experts to conceive and realize built projects that are both educational and charitable in nature. The aspiration of the innovative program is to reinforce the knowledge and skills necessary to the successful and meaningful practice of architecture by removing the boundaries between academy and professional practice. For their extraordinary joint efforts to advance the art and science of architectural education, the Society presents Marie Zawistowski with Society Honors and also recognizes Keith Zawistowski with the Award for Distinguished Achievement.
C. Douglas Aurand, ASLA, Paul N. Proto, and Robert Skunda will be recognized with Society Honors at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at the Hotel John Marshall. Society Honors are bestowed upon organizations or citizens who have inspired, influenced, or complemented architecture or the architecture profession in Virginia through an allied profession, research, education, planning, legislation, journalism, the arts, or crafts.
Doug Aurand, principal with Norfolk-based Siska Aurand Landscape Architects, Inc., has practiced landscape architecture and aquatic design throughout the United States for more than 30 years. In the early 80s, while an assistant professor of landscape architecture at Oklahoma State University, he compiled research and wrote the internationally recognized textbook “Fountains and Pools, Construction Guidelines and Specifications.” It is perceived as an all-encompassing resource for designing and building water features and pools, and has been heavily utilized in universities in both the U.S. and abroad. His work, which can be found in private homes, city centers, parks, universities and museums, has been described as aesthetically pleasing, long lasting and easy to maintain. As a consultant, his expertise in aquatic design has helped countless colleagues realize their vision. In presenting this honor the Society recognizes his far-reaching work as an educator, innovative design work, and expertise as a consultant.
Paul Proto served the Commonwealth of Virginia from the mid-1970s until retiring in 2011. In addition to his more than 20 years of service as the Director of General Services of Henrico County, he was instrumental in helping to shape influential policy and legislation impacting designers throughout state. During his time on several key committees and boards, he helped draft various procurement policies establishing qualifications-based selection and served on the study commission which resulted in the adoption of the Virginia Public Procurement Act. He also helped guide the way public design-build contracts were implemented and served on the State Appeals Board helping to resolve bidding issues. In presenting his honor, the Society salutes his decades of public service helping to create a quality built environment.
After an impressive career with the firm Dewberry Davis, Robert Skunda distinguished him as an advocate for business and a strong proponent for economic development in the Commonwealth. He served as Chair of two of the largest business organizations in the state, Secretary of Commerce and Trade under Governor George Allen, and has been President and CEO of the Virginia Biotechnology Park since 1997. During his time as Secretary of Commerce, he served on numerous boards and commissions focused on improving business conditions, increasing competitiveness, and easing the challenges facing private-sector businesses in Virginia. In conveying this honor, the Society especially recognizes his vigorous support of economic development and his role in helping to create favorable business conditions in the Commonwealth.
Gregg Bleam, FASLA, and Bryna Dunn, LEED AP, will be recognized with Society Honors at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Society Honors are bestowed on organizations or citizens who have inspired, influenced, or complemented architecture or the architecture profession in Virginia through an allied profession, research, education, planning, legislation, journalism, the arts, or crafts.
For more than 21 years, Gregg Bleam, and his firm Gregg Bleam Landscape Architect, have produced exemplary work in landscape architecture. “His site-specific minimalism combines familiar raw materials in unexpected ways. He is a value-adding collaborator whom the best architects of his generation seek out for his ability to make building and landscape one interlocking, interdependent system,” said the American Society of Landscape Architects when announcing his elevation to Fellowship in October of this year. From private residences and gardens, to public campuses and master plans, his projects emphasize the sustainable use of indigenous and natural materials to enhance the built environment. Particularly noted by the Honors Committee was the high quality of his work, marked by his extraordinary ability to integrate contemporary architecture into the landscape.
Bryna Dunn, though not an architect or engineer, has impacted the design of dozens of sites and buildings through her work to advise the design community and its clients about environmentally-friendly practices and materials. Recognized with awards for her leadership by the green-building community, Dunn has been a driving force through her involvement with the United States Green Building Council, James River Green Building Council, and Virginia Sustainable Building Network. Many LEED Accredited Professionals in Virginia have benefited from her seminars on sustainable practices. Her work with the USGBC has helped to propel and transform the LEED rating system into the industry standard for green building certification. Her sustained influence and remarkable contributions to the built environment and its means and methods of construction were particularly noted by the Honors Committee. Dunn is Vice President, Director of Environmental Planning & Research at Moseley Architects.
