Michael Ford, FAIA, NOMA, Honored with 2026 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) honored Michael Ford, AIA, NOMA, with the 2026 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award.

Established in 1972, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award annually honors an architect or organization that champions a range of social issues.

Ford has redefined architectural education and practice by using hip hop as a powerful vehicle to connect with communities historically excluded from the design conversation. His work challenges systemic barriers, framing design as a tool for cultural expression, social justice, and lasting community impact.

At the heart of Ford’s mission is The Hip Hop Architecture Camp, an initiative he founded in 2016. What began as a local program has grown into a global movement, with camps held in 41 cities across the United States, Canada, and Kenya. The camp positions hip hop culture—its rhythms, lyrics, and art—as a catalyst to introduce young people to architecture, urban planning, and design. By making these fields relatable and accessible, Ford has empowered thousands of students to see themselves as creators and shapers of their built environment. To date, the program has reached over 3,700 participants.

Ford’s commitment extends beyond inspiration to tangible support. He has raised and awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to help camp alumni pursue degrees in architecture and design. He also established the Hip Hop Architecture Camp A.R.E. Scholarship Program to offset the costs of the Architect Registration Examination for emerging professionals, breaking down financial barriers to licensure. Through paid internships and teaching stipends, he is building a sustainable pipeline of diverse talent.

As the founding principal of BrandNu Design Studio, Ford leads culturally significant projects that celebrate and preserve community identity. His firm is at the helm of designs for The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx and The Memphis Hip Hop Museum, creating spaces that honor the legacy and influence of the culture. Demonstrating his commitment to design as a form of advocacy, Ford also provided pro bono services for the Tyre Nichols Memorial Skatepark in Memphis, creating a place for healing and community gathering.

Ford’s influence is felt through his academic work and professional leadership. He has taught design courses at multiple colleges, challenging students to view architecture as a cultural and political force. As president of Wisconsin NOMA, he launched a media partnership to highlight every Black architect in the state, increasing visibility and fostering connection. His collaborations with brands like Shaw Contract have resulted in product lines inspired by hip hop, with a portion of proceeds funding scholarships and internships.

Ford’s career is a masterclass in using design as a force for good. He is not just designing buildings; he is designing opportunities. By honoring him, the AIA celebrates a leader who is building a new blueprint for the profession—one where every voice is heard, every culture is valued, and everyone has a place at the drawing board. His work inspires a future where architecture is a true reflection of the society it aims to serve.

Learn more about Ford’s selection as the 2026 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award recipient.

Vivian Lee, FAIA, Honored with the 2026 Edward C. Kemper Award

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has bestowed its highest service honor, the Edward C. Kemper Award, upon Vivian Lee, FAIA, a design principal at Gensler.
 
This award recognizes an architect who has made significant, impactful contributions to the profession through dedicated service to AIA. Lee’s profound influence as a mentor and her tireless advocacy for equity, diversity, and inclusion have reshaped the architectural landscape for the better.

Throughout her career, Lee has addressed the systemic challenges faced by underrepresented groups in architecture. She recognized early on that representation is vital, particularly for minority and immigrant women seeking to build careers in the field. This understanding has fueled her mission to increase the visibility and influence of women in design and leadership roles.

Her leadership has extended beyond local impact, creating national bridges between AIA chapters. Lee orchestrated firm-to-firm design exchanges and curated impactful symposia, including the A’23 Equity for Women in Architecture: Coast-to-Coast Exchange. This event brought together representatives from over 25 AIA committees from across the country to share knowledge and strategies, amplifying the movement for equity on a national scale.

Under her guidance, the AIA New York WiA Committee developed programming rooted in four strategic pillars: Design & Leadership, Professional Practice, Workplace Culture, and Advocacy & Activism. This structured approach resulted in over 100 events that provided crucial support and networking opportunities for women and underrepresented professionals, earning the committee the AIA New York Vice President Citation for Professional Development in 2019.

The Edward C. Kemper Award is a testament to how deeply Lee’s work aligns with AIA’s core values. AIA is committed to advancing the profession through advocacy, education, and community, with a strong emphasis on diversity, sustainability, and mentorship. Lee’s service has advanced this mission on local, regional, and national levels, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations.

Visit AIA’s website to learn more about Lee’s selection as the 2026 Edward C. Kemper Award recipient.

2026 AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education awarded to Sarah Whiting, Assoc. AIA

The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) along with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) today announced Sarah M. Whiting, Assoc. AIA, as the 2026 recipient of the AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education. 

The AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion honors an individual who has been intensely involved in architecture education for more than a decade and whose teaching has influenced a broad range of students.

Whiting’s career is distinguished by her dual role as a leading educator and a practicing architect with her firm, WW Architecture. This unique position has allowed her to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice, enriching both. Her leadership, first as dean at the Rice School of Architecture and now at the Harvard GSD, has been marked by a steadfast commitment to rethinking how architects are trained and how they can positively affect the world.

As the first female dean at Harvard GSD, Whiting has guided the institution through significant cultural and academic transitions. She has championed a healthier studio culture, broadened perspectives on the historical architectural canon, and cultivated a more inclusive and collaborative atmosphere. Her leadership has been described as steady, principled, and clear, particularly in navigating the global disruptions of the pandemic and present cultural pressures.

A significant part of Whiting’s legacy is her scholarly work. Her seminal essay “Notes from the Doppler Effect and Other Moods of Modernism,” co-authored with Robert Somol, challenged the profession to think differently. As the founding editor of the journal Point, she has consistently enabled, encouraged, and expanded conversations to advance architectural knowledge.

Sarah Whiting’s receipt of the Topaz Medallion celebrates a career devoted to advancing architectural education. Her work serves as a powerful model for how academic leadership can foster innovation, inclusivity, and a deep sense of civic duty within the profession. She has shaped curriculums as well as the minds and careers of countless architects.

Visit AIA’s website to learn more about Whiting’s selection as the 2026 AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion winner.  

Duvall Decker Receives the 2026 AIA Architecture Firm Award

The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today honored Duvall Decker with the 2026 AIA Architecture Firm Award.
     
The annual AIA Architecture Firm Award is the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture practice. The award recognizes a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years.  

Founded in 1998 by Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, and Roy Decker, FAIA, the practice has established a powerful model for how architects can serve communities, particularly those with limited resources, by creating spaces that foster dignity, equity, and public good.

Duvall Decker has built a practice that redefines what it means to be an engaged architect. Their work is a testament to the idea that thoughtful design can be a catalyst for revitalization and empowerment in overlooked communities.

This commitment to community advocacy is woven into every project. Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, of Ross Barney Architects, recognizes this unique integration. “Few firms so fully integrate advocacy into every aspect of their practice,” she observes. “Duvall Decker has established a nationally recognized practice defined by design excellence and profound community advocacy ... their architecture stands as a physical expression of civic responsibility.”

This profound connection to community is evident in projects like:

• The Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center at Tougaloo College: This center provides vital academic spaces while also housing the college’s vast art collection and serving as a hub for civil rights research.
• The U.S. Courthouse in Greenville, Mississippi: This project was designed to be more than a government building; it aims to be an equitable benchmark that honors the character and history of Greenville.
• Work with Jackson Public Schools: The firm’s “careful, incremental renovations” have played a vital role in elevating public education, a contribution described by Superintendent Errick L. Greene as “both rare and invaluable.”

Duvall Decker’s practice is an expanded one, often including services in real estate, project management, and even building maintenance to serve their communities holistically. They fix leaky pipes, help secure historic tax credits, and provide strategic planning—all part of their mission to build more livable, vibrant communities. This hands-on, comprehensive approach ensures their projects are not just aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable, functional, and economically beneficial for residents.

Duvall Decker serves as an inspiring example for the profession, proving that the most profound architecture is born from a deep sense of care, respect, and empathy. Their legacy is one of blending brilliant design with tireless advocacy, creating a model that will undoubtedly influence the next generation of architects to build a more equitable and beautiful world.

Learn more about Duvall Decker’s selection as the 2026 AIA Architecture Firm Award winner.  

Earlier this week we also announced that the 2026 AIA Gold Medal was awarded to Shigeru Ban, Hon. FAIA.