Lew Dominy, 2017

A. Lewis Dominy III, AIA Emeritus 

During a distinguished career of almost half a century, Lew Dominy has been responsible for the exceptional quality of an extensive and diverse body of work, outstanding for its consistent level of inspirational design excellence.    

Lew grew up in San Diego as the son of a Navy Chaplain.  He received a scholarship to USC, graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1966. While in school he became a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society (Architecture). Upon graduation, he was honored with a one year World Tour Travelling Fellowship.  The fellowship would have to wait until 1969-70 as Lew joined the Marine Corps, serving in an engineering battalion that arrived in Vietnam shortly after the Tet Offensive.  

After returning from the war and his travels, Lew worked with Malibu architect Douglas Rucker.  Within a year of moving to San Diego, shortly after the birth of his son, Lew worked three years with Mosher & Drew, particularly on Robert’s cherished Golden Door project in Escondido.  Lew founded his first firm, Dominy & Bokal, in 1976.   

domusstudio architecture, founded by Lew in 1986 (originally named Dominy + Associates Architects) has been responsible for the design of literally hundreds of churches throughout Southern California and the southwestern United States.  Lew Dominy’s leadership of domusstudio has led to civic, educational, commercial and residential projects recognized with numerous awards, and extensive coverage in local, regional and national publications.   

Lew has been an active member of many organizations serving both his profession and community, giving his time generously, including travel to Mexico as part of a team building over 20 homes for families in need. 

Because of his outstanding design accomplishments and community service, Lew Dominy is richly deserving of the Robert Mosher Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Joseph Paoluccio, 2017

Throughout his extraordinary career, Joseph P. Paoluccio transformed the way architects do business with public sector clients, federal agencies, and national and international organizations, giving particular emphasis to improving the working relationships between design professionals and the various branches of the US military.  

Joseph was born in Massachusetts to Italian immigrant parents, who moved the family to California for warmer climes.  His father and grandfather were both general contractors, sparking Joseph’s interests and pursuits in drafting and architecture.  At the start of the Korean War, Joseph (age 17) enlisted into the Navy, serving as a SeaBee based in Morocco, where he gained experience working with architects and draftsmen.  After the war, he studied architecture at UC Berkeley before succumbing to the allure of physics and engineering. 

Joseph returned to San Diego, eventually establishing a highly respected engineering firm specializing in mechanical, electrical, and fire safety engineering, supporting the success of major projects around the region and internationally.   Mid-career, Joseph received his California architectural license and Architecture degree at Cal Poly, Pomona, enabling his firm to serve primarily public agencies with a full spectrum of architectural and engineering services for projects totaling billions of dollars. 

In addition to his successful practice, Joseph was unstinting in his efforts to simultaneously improve the lot of architects/engineers and elevate the profession.  Because of him, design professionals now work more efficiently and productively on federal government and public agency commissions.  His articles, speeches, presentations, symposia and personal monitoring and mentoring have a common theme:  how architects and engineers can improve themselves and their practices.   

Widely recognized by other professional organizations, Joseph holds the following titles: “John Bolles, FAIA, Fellow” by AIA California Council, NCARB Certificate, and a Fellow of American Council of Engineering Companies, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and of Institute for the Advancement of Engineering.  This recognition by the AIA San Diego for a lifetime of extraordinary achievements is overwhelmingly deserved and long overdue.