2024 AIA San Diego Design Awards Jury
Jury Chair: Billie Tsien, AIA
Billie Tsien is a founding partner of the New York-based practice Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners. Their practice is committed to reflecting the values of non-profit, cultural and academic institutions toward an architecture of enduring vision. A sense of rootedness, light, texture, detail, and most of all, experience, are at the heart of what they design. Their dedication to this work has garnered numerous awards and citations including the National Medal of Arts from President Obama, the 2013 AIA Architecture Firm Award, and the 2019 Praemium Imperiale presented by the Japan Art Association. Some of their notable projects include The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, the Asia Society Hong Kong Center in Hong Kong, and the renovations of the public spaces in David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. Currently in construction are The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, Chicago. In parallel to her practice, Billie teaches at Yale University, and is a devoted participant in the broader cultural community. She currently serves as the first Woman and Asian-American Chair of the Commission of Fine Arts, appointed by President Biden in 2021. As an educator and practitioner, she is steadfast in her mission to create a better world through architecture.
Brendan Connolly, AIA
Partner at Mithun, Brendan is a dedicated design leader specializing in innovative built environments for educational and corporate clients, prioritizing sustainable strategies and integrated collaboration. With a keen focus on design excellence and technical rigor, Brendan's expertise spans from conceptualization to project management, delivering beautifully conceived spaces that meet client aspirations and goals nationally.
Craig Steely, AIA
Craig Steely, a California- and Hawaii-based architect of Craig Steely Architecture, creates true hybrids of these environments, embracing their realities and our connection to them. With a focus on singular architecture rooted in context, his work spans projects in Hawaii, Mexico, and along the California coast, garnering recognition from the American Institute of Architects and Residential Architect Magazine.
Louis Kaufman, AIA
Louis, with over 35 years of experience, leads diverse projects worldwide, from private residences to cultural institutions, crafting designs that marry the land's qualities with clients' stories. As a principal at De Reus Architects, he emphasizes timeless design and intimate experiences, focusing on large-scale projects that translate the essence of place.
Chandra Robinson, AIA
Chandra Robinson, Architect at Lever, specializes in innovative projects serving communities. With a passion for inclusive design, she recently managed a LEED Platinum headquarters and contributed to notable projects like First Tech Federal Credit Union, emphasizing clients' vision and values. Inspired by the legacy of Black and Latinx designers, Chandra is dedicated to making architecture accessible for all.
