2024 AWARDS PROGRAM

To provide a fair and equitable review, a jury is recruited from esteemed architect members from non-local metropolitan areas. The recruitment of a non-local jury of highly distinguished architects ensures that the work awarded embodies design excellence to the highest extent.

2024 AWARDS JURY

2024 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.

2024 Jury Member: 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.

2024 Jury Member: 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.

2024 Jury Member: 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.

2024 Jury Member: 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.

Showcasing design excellence in San Diego and Tijuana in this the San Diego Region’s year as 2024 World Design Capital, the Design Awards program includes a ceremony, talks, tours, and discussions celebrating the work and the people behind it.

THE PEOPLE | CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS

The annual celebration marks a unique opportunity to come together as one design community and foster connections across borders and disciplines. Engage with distinguished architects, designers, and industry professionals shaping our region's future and beyond. Forge valuable connections and expand your professional network while mingling with like-minded individuals who share your passion for architecture and design.

THE PROJECTS | DISTINGUISHED WORK

The AIA San Diego Design Awards recognizes Design Excellence - Those exemplary projects that demonstrate design skill of formal, functional and technical requirements, including ecological and environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and a strong sense of place. 

THE PROCESS | RIGOROUS, ANONYMOUS

Each year, we receive hundreds of submissions in multiple diverse categories.The selection process is rigorous and focused on both function and form, with an emphasis on sustainability. The recruitment of a non-local jury of highly distinguished architects means that the projects awarded embody design excellence to the highest extent.

2024 Design Awards Sponsors

Awards Archives

Project Information and credit to project partners is provided by the architectural firm or entrant of record in AIA San Diego's Design Awards Call for Entries. AIA San Diego, its Design Awards Committee/Representatives, and its Design Awards Jury (Juries) are not the authors of this content, nor are they responsible for verifying its accuracy. Companies/consultants/contractors should contact the firm of record to address discrepancies. To be eligible for consideration and receipt of award in AIA San Diego's Design Awards, entries must be made by AIA members in good standing who abide by the Ethical Standards of Attribution of Credit set forth by the American Institute of Architects.